Devasahayam Will Be the First Non Ordained Indian to Become a Saint

Devasahayam Pillai will be canonized by Pope Francis together with six other blesseds during the canonization mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on May 15, 2022, the Vatican announced on November 9. 

The Vatican church said that Devasahayam Pillai will become the first Indian layperson from India to become a saint. 

He was born into an affluent Hindu family on 23 April 1712 at Nattalam in the present day Kanyakumari district. His family had much influence in the royal palace of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, the King of Travancore. 

His skills in the palace were noticed and he was soon made in charge of state affairs as an official under Ramayyan Dalawa, Dewan of Travancore. 

A Dutch naval commander Capt Eustachius De Lannoy was captured by the Indian Kingdom of Travancore in the Battle of Colachel. He was later pardoned by the king. De Lannoy went on to become the commander of the armed forces of Travancore.

Having powerful roles under the King of Travancore’s kingdom, De Lannoy and Devasahayam became close friends. Devasahayam became interested in the Christain faith after De Lannoy began enlightening him. 

Devasahayam embraced the Christian faith in 1745 and changed his name to ‘Lazarus’ although he’s popularly known as Devasahayam meaning God’s help. 

In his preaching, he particularly insisted on the equality of all peoples, despite caste differences. This aroused the hatred of the higher classes, and he was arrested in 1749. After enduring increasing hardships, he received the crown of martyrdom when he was shot on 14 January 1752.

Many miracles are attributed to Devasahayam. He was declared Blessed on December 2, 2012, in Kottar, 300 years after his birth.