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{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{short description|Indian blessed}}
{{Infobox saint
| honorific_prefix= [[Beatification|Blessed]]
| name = Devasahayam Pillai
| image = Devasahayam Pillai 2a.JPG
| imagesize = 200px
| alt =
| caption = Statue of Devasahayam Pillai at the [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar|Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier]].
| titles = [[Martyr]] and [[Layman]]
|birth_name = Neelakanta Pillai
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1712|4|23}}
| birth_place = [[Palliyadi]],Nattalam, [[Kanyakumari District]], [[Travancore|Kingdom of Travancore]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1752|1|14|1712|4|27}}
| death_place = [[Aralvaimozhy]], [[Travancore|Kingdom of Travancore]]
|resting_place= [[Kottar]], [[Nagercoil]], [[India]]
| venerated_in = [[Catholic Church]]
| beatified_date = 2 December 2012
| beatified_place = [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar|St. Francis Xavier Cathedral]],
[[Tamil Nadu]], [[Nagercoil]], [[India]]
| beatified_by = [[Angelo Amato|Cardinal Angelo Amato]] (on behalf of [[Pope Benedict XVI]])
| canonized_date =
| canonized_place =
| canonized_by =
| major_shrine = [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar|Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier]],
[[Kottar]], [[Nagercoil]], [[India]]
| feast_day = 14 January<ref>Terry Jones, [http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-devasahayam-pillai/ Blessed Devasahayam Pillai], Star Quest Production Network. Retrieved 4 December 2012.</ref>
| attributes = Tied up in chains, praying on knees before execution
| patronage = [[India]]<br>Persecuted Christians
| tradition =
| major_works =
}}
{{Christianity in India sidebar}}
'''Devasahayam Pillai''' ({{lang-ml|ദേവസഹായം പിള്ള}}) ({{lang-ta|முத்திப்பேறு பெற்ற தேவசகாயம் பிள்ளை}}) (23 April 1712 – 14 January 1752) (born '''Neelakanta Pillai''' in the [[Travancore|Kingdom of Travancore]]), known as '''Lazarus''' his baptismal name, is a [[beatified]] Indian layman of the [[Catholic Church]]. Born into a [[Hindu]] family in the 18th century, he converted to [[Catholicism]] and is considered a martyr of the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith.<ref name="smcim-814">[http://www.smcim.org/news/article/814?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=500&width=800 Decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints], Syro Malabar Church, 1 July 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.</ref> Pillai was an official in the court of the King of [[Travancore]], [[Maharaja Marthanda Varma]],<ref name=TheHindu2004>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040218233650/http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/10/stories/2004011006790400.htm CBCI] report, ''[[The Hindu]]'', 10 January 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2009.</ref><ref>For a scientific study cf. "Towards a Historiography of Martyr Devasahayam," J. Rosario Narchison repr. in "India's Christian Heritage" Ed. O. L. Snaitang and George Menachery, CHAI, Bangalore, 2011, pp.135-145 with an exhaustive bibliography and details of primary sources.</ref> when he came under the influence of Dutch naval commander, Captain [[Eustachius De Lannoy]], who instructed him in the Catholic faith.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.martyrdevasahayam.org/entry-of-de-lannoy.php|title=De Lannoy|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref>
He is believed to have been killed by the [[Travancore]] state for upholding his Christian faith.<ref name="smcim-814"/><ref name=TheHindu2004/>

In 2004, at the request of the [[diocese of Kottar]], Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council (TNBC) and the [[Conference of Catholic Bishops of India]] (CCBI) recommended Devasahayam Pillai for the process of [[beatification]] to the [[Holy See|Vatican]].<ref name=newindpress>{{cite web |title=CBCI report |url=http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IER20040112120811&Title=Kerala&Topic=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040830204625/http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IER20040112120811&Title=Kerala&Topic=0 |date= 13 January 2004 |archive-date=30 August 2004 |publisher=NewIndPress.com |access-date=27 September 2009 }}</ref> Some Hindu groups objected to this initiative on the grounds that there was no evidence of religious persecution in Travancore during that period, and that Pillai was executed for [[sedition]].<ref name=hvk>Balram Misra, "[http://www.hvk.org/2004/0204/9.html CBCI's claim challenged]", Hindu Vivek Kendra, 1 February 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2013.</ref><ref name=challenged>[http://www.cbci.in/FullNews.aspx?ID=545 Lay Martyr Devsagayam Pillai's 300th Birth Anniversary Observed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214817/http://www.cbci.in/FullNews.aspx?ID=545 |date=12 May 2014 }}, CBCI, 8 May 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.</ref> However, documents dating back to the period of Devasahayam Pillai show that conversion of court officials to Christianity was not tolerated.<ref name=Paulinus>[https://archive.org/stream/voyagetoeastindi00paoluoft#page/206/mode/2up Paulinus a Sancto Bartholomaeo (1748-1806), ''Voyage to the East Indies'', 1800 (original Italian, 1796)]. He writes: "The king of Travancore threatens with imprisonment and death every nobleman who shall quit his court to become a Christian, and who shall afterwards fall into his hands; and indeed ''Nilampulla'', an officer of a noble family, was shot at ''Arampalli'' because he refused to renounce the religion of Jesus Christ. In the year 1787 I saw four ''Nayiris'' or noble ''Shudris'', thrown into prison at ''Tiruvandaburam'', because they would not [[apostasise]] from the Catholic Church." (pp. 207-208).</ref>

On 28 June 2012, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] authorized the [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] to promulgate a decree regarding the martyrdom of Devasahayam Pillai and he was referred to as "[[Venerable#Christianity|Venerable]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/29419.php?index=29419&po_date=28.06.2012&lang=it |title=Vatican Decree on martyrdom of Devasahayam Pillai |access-date=2 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713063429/http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/29419.php?index=29419&po_date=28.06.2012&lang=it |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 2 December 2012, a ceremony of beatification and declaration of martyrdom was held in [[Nagercoil]], in the Roman Catholic diocese of Kottar in Southern [[India]], presided over by [[Angelo Cardinal Amato]], Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, acting as [[papal]] delegate. Devasahayam Pillai is the first lay man to be elevated to the rank of "[[Beatification|Blessed]]" in India (the step preceding raising a person to Sainthood under the [[Canon Law]] of the Catholic Church).<ref name=bs87222>[http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/church-beatifies-indias-first-lay-martyr/87222/ Church beatifies India's first 'lay' martyr], ''[[Business Standard]]'', 2 December 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.</ref>

On 21 February 2020, Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Devasahayam, clearing his way to canonization (sainthood).<ref name="Vatican News">{{cite web|title=Indian martyr, Devasahayam, cleared for sainthood|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-02/pope-francis-decrees-causes-saints-india-devasahayam.html |date=22 February 2020|publisher=Vatican News|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref> He will be the first [[Catholic laity|lay Catholic]] in India to become a saint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/pope-clears-indias-first-layman-for-canonization/87299|title=Pope clears India's first layman for canonization - UCA News|website=ucanews.com|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref>

==Biography according to Roman Catholic tradition==

===Early life===
Devasahayam Pillai (named Neelakanda Pillai at birth)<ref name=TheHindu2004/> was born into an affluent [[Nair]]-[[caste]] family at Nattalam in the present-day [[Kanyakumari District]], on 23 April 1712.<ref>Amalagiri Anthonymuthu, "Vedasatchi Devasahayam Pillai Virivaana Varalaaru" {{in lang|ta}}, Nanjil Book Stall, Nagercoil, 1988, 3rd Edn.,2006, Page:15.</ref> His father Vasudevan Namboodiri, hailed from [[Kayamkulam]], in present-day [[Kerala]] state, and was working as a priest at Sri Adi Kesava Perumal temple in [[Thiruvattar]] in present-day [[Kanyakumari district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. His mother Devaki Amma hailed from Thiruvattar in [[Kanyakumari District]]. In the [[Nair]] matrilineal traditions of the day, Devasahayam Pillai was raised by his maternal uncle, and was inculcated with [[Hindu]] beliefs and traditions early on.

Devasahayam's family had much influence in the royal palace of [[Maharaja Marthanda Varma]], king of [[Travancore]], and Devasahayam went into the service of the royal palace as a young man.<ref name=Pushparaj/>{{rp|12}} His capabilities and enthusiasm did not go unnoticed in the palace, as he was soon put in charge of state affairs as an official under [[Ramayyan Dalawa]], the Dewan of Travancore.<ref name=Rosario>Rosario Narchison J, "Martyr Devasahayam: A Documented History", Bishop's House, Nagercoil, 2002.</ref>{{rp|55–56}}

===Conversion to Christianity===
In 1741, Captain [[Eustachius De Lannoy]], a Dutch naval commander, was sent on command of a Dutch naval expedition by the [[Dutch East India Company]] to capture [[Colachel]], a port under the control of Travancore, and establish a trading post there.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianchristianity.com/html/NewsDigest.htm|title=News Digest|website=www.indianchristianity.com|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref> In the battle ([[Battle of Colachel]]) that followed between the Travancore forces and De Lannoy's men, the Dutch forces were defeated and the men were either killed or captured. [[Eustachius De Lannoy]], his assistant Donadi and a few other Dutch soldiers were captured and imprisoned.<ref>V. Nagam Aiya, ''The Travancore State Manual'' Vol. 1, 1906</ref>

De Lannoy and the Dutchmen were later pardoned by the king, on condition that they serve in the Travancore army. De Lannoy later earned the trust of the king and went on to become the commander of the Travancore armed forces, winning many battles and annexing various neighbouring territories to Travancore.

It was during their influential roles under the King of Travancore that Devasahayam Pillai and De Lannoy became well acquainted. De Lannoy's Christian faith interested Devasahayam and De Lannoy enlightened him on the faith, leading to his conversion in 1745.<ref name=TheHindu2004/>

===Baptism===
On Devasahayam's acceptance of the Christian faith, he was baptized at the [[Roman Catholic]] [[Latin Rite]] church at [[Vadakkankulam]] village (in the present [[Tirunelveli District]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]), where the [[Jesuits]] had a mission under Rev. Fr. R. Bouttari Italus S.J.<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|281}} Neelakanda Pillai, his name at birth, was then changed to [[Lazar (name)|Lazar]], although he is more widely known by the Tamil & Malayalam translation Devasahayam (meaning ''God's help'').<ref name="kottar-diocese">[http://www.kottardiocese.org/subpage%20new/history.html History of the Diocese] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511062506/http://www.kottardiocese.org/subpage%20new/history.html |date=11 May 2012 }}, [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottar]], 2010. Retrieved 2012-05-25.</ref> Pillai was married<ref name=TheHindu2004/> by this time to Bargavi Ammal from Kunchu Veedu, Elanthavilai, Mayicode in Travancore Province. She was also persuaded and converted to Christianity by her husband. His wife was given the baptismal name of Gnanapoo Ammaal (equivalent to [[Theresa]] in Tamil & Malayalam). Fearing reprisal in Travancore against her [[religious conversion]], she chose to be a migrated-resident of this village. Some of Devasahayam Pillai's immediate family members also received baptism later, after being converted to Christianity.<ref name=Rosario/>{{rp|68–69}}

===Orders based on accusations and charges===
Church chroniclers say that the Brahmin chief priest of the kingdom, the feudal lords, members of the royal household and the Nair community brought false charges on Devasahayam to the Dewan, [[Ramayyan Dalawa]].<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|282}} Pillai was divested of his portfolio in the administration and was later accused of treason and of divulging state secrets to rivals and Europeans. He was later arrested and tortured for three years.<ref name=bs87222/> After his execution orders were passed, he was initially ordered to be taken on a buffalo to Kuzhumaikkad, where he would be executed.<ref name=Pushparaj>Pushpa Raj P, "Devasahayam Pillai: The Martyr", Nanjil Book Stall, Nagercoil, 1988, 2nd Edn., 2005</ref>{{rp|41–42}}<ref>Stephen, A.P., "Retham Chintha Chintha" {{in lang|ta}}, Kottar Diocese, Nagercoil, 1975, page 29.</ref> But the original Royal order was altered later to finally to be taken on a buffalo back to [[Aralvaimozhy]] border for a meaningful punishment of banishment after carrying out a series of tortures by ten different karyakkars on the advice of the ministers.<ref name=Pushparaj/>{{rp|42–65}}

===Other traditions and beliefs===
[[File:Devasagayam Knee Print1.JPG|thumb|upright|Blessed Devasahayam is believed to have prayed on this rock and left imprints of his knee and elbow]]
[[File:Devasagayam Knee Print2.JPG|thumb|upright|A closer look of the rock where Blessed Devasahayam is believed to have prayed and left imprints of his knee and elbow]]
[[File:Devasahayam Tomb.jpg|thumb|upright|Tomb of Blessed Devasahayam - [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar|St. Xavier's Cathedral]], [[diocese of Kottar]]]]
[[File:Devasahayam Pillai Grab 1a.JPG|thumb|upright|Tomb in front of the main-altar of St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Kottar, Nagercoil]]
Devasahayam Pillai was marched from [[Padmanabhapuram Palace]] to Aralvaimozhy by soldiers, over the period of a few days. Pillai was treated like a criminal and as was customary in those days for criminals, his body was painted with red and black spots, and was intentionally marched through populated areas, sitting backward on top of a [[water buffalo]]<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|283}}<ref name= Mateer>Samuel Mateer, ''Native Life in Travancore'', London, 1883. {{ISBN|81-206-0514-4}}. Page 291.</ref> (the mythical vehicle or [[vahana]] of [[Yama]], the lord of death in [[Hinduism]]) through the streets of [[South Travancore]]. As a method of torture, he was beaten every day with eighty stripes, pepper rubbed in his wounds and nostrils, exposed to the sun, and given only stagnant water to drink.<ref name= Mateer/>

While halting at Puliyoorkurichi, not far away from the [[Padmanabhapuram Palace]] of the Travancore king, it is believed by Christians that God quenched his thirst by letting water gush through a small hole on a rock, the very place where he knelt to pray. The water hole is still found in the compound of a church at Puliyoorkurichi, about 15 km from [[Nagercoil]].<ref name=Pushparaj/>{{rp|54}}<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|285}}

It is also believed that the leaves of a [[neem]] (Margosa) tree in the village of [[Peruvilai]], to which he had been tied while being marched to [[Aralvaimozhy]], cured illnesses of sick people in the village and around. Many more miracles are attributed to Devasahayam Pillai.<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|286}}

===Death===
In 1752, the original order of the King and his Dewan was to deport him from Travancore, into the Pandya country, at [[Aralvaimozhy]]. He was let off in the forested hills near Aralvaimozhy. There, he is believed to have begun deep meditations, and the people from the adjacent villages began visiting the holy man. Christian sources allege that at this time, high caste Hindus plotted to do away with Devasahayam.<ref name=Rosario/>{{rp|134}}

Some people believe that the soldiers went up the forested hills and tried to shoot Devasahayam, but were unable to fire; after which he took the gun in his hands, blessed it and gave it back to the soldiers to shoot him to death, if they wished to. The soldiers took the gun back and fired at him five times. His body was then carelessly thrown out near the foothills at Kattadimalai.<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|285}}<ref name=Thangasami>Thangasami M.S.J., "Vanjinaattu Vedasaatchi Devasahayam Pillai Varalaaru" {{in lang|ta}}, Nanjil Pathippaham, Nagercoil, 1989.</ref>{{rp|83}}

It was at Kattadimalai in [[Kanyakumari district]] that Devasahayam Pillai died on 14 January 1752.<ref name=TheHindu2004/> The Izhasa Naadu Pandiyan soldiers in Pattazham Vilai sent Kamanayakkampatti traders to search the forest; they found Pillai's decomposed body and carried it to the Kottar Church.{{citation needed |date =June 2020}} His mortal remains were interred near the altar inside [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar]], Nagercoil, which is now the diocesan [[Cathedral]].<ref name=Agur/>{{rp|285}}

Since the days of the interment of the mortal remains of Devesahayam Pillai many Christian pilgrims visited his tomb and offered prayers.<ref>[https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/1996/04/11/100000-pilgrims-visit-lay-martyr-pillais-shrine-in-southern-india&post_id=7314 100,000 PILGRIMS VISIT LAY MARTYR PILLAI´S SHRINE IN SOUTHERN INDIA] 10 April 1996</ref>

==Canonization efforts==
According to the report submitted by the then Bishop of Cochin (under whom Kanyakumari church was then functioning) in 1756 CE, the Christian [[martyrdom]] of Devasahayam Pillai was promptly intimated to [[Holy See|Vatican]]. Prominent witnesses to his saintliness and martyrdom include [[Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar]].<ref>Gover Nethor Parammakkal Thoma Kathanar, "Vathamana Pusthakam" (Malayalam), First Travelogue in an Indian language & Malankara Catholic records, edited by Most Rev. Fr. Thomas Muthedan, published by Janatha Book Stall, Thevara, Ernakulam, 1778–87.</ref>

In 1780, Kariattil Ouseph Malpan submitted a petition to the Vatican for canonization of Devasahayam Pillai.<ref name=Thangasami/>{{rp|94–96}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocities.ws/kandathil//kandathil/kandathil.html#a|title=Abp. Augustine W. Kandathil [Warkey], D. D. {കണ്ടത്തില്‍ ആഗുസ്തീനോസ് മെത്രാപ്പോലീത്താച്ചന്‍, ഡി. ഡി. [Kandathil Augusthinose Metropolitachan] / அகஸ்்டின் கண்டத்தில், டி. டி. / अगस्टिन् कण्टत्तिल्, डि. डि. / Abp. Augustinus G. Kandathil [Georgius], D. D. / Абп. Августин Г. Кандатхил [Гео́ргий], Д. Д.}|website=www.geocities.ws|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref>

The church historian C. M. Agur concluded in 1903 that although [[apostasy]] was never considered illegal in Travancore, it was not viewed indifferently, particularly in the case of the King's palace servants, and this led to the martyrdom of Devasahayam Pillai.<ref name=Agur>Agur, C. M., ''Church History of Travancore'', Madras, 1903, Reprint: Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 1990, Part II, Chapter V. {{ISBN|81-206-0594-2}}</ref>{{rp|285}}

In 1984, a group of lay persons from the diocese of Kottar, especially members of Nagercoil Catholic Club, once again took the initiative to seek the [[beatification]] of Devasahayam.<ref name=process>[http://www.martyrdevasagayam.org/process.html Process of beatification] on devotees' website</ref> This is unusual for a layman,<ref name=TheHindu2004/> but he is regarded as one who was totally devoted to Christ.<ref name=newindpress/> At the beginning of the 21st century, many Christian devotees were offering prayers at his tomb in [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar|St. Xavier's Cathedral]] of the diocese of Kottar.<ref name=newindpress/>

After a series of initiatives by the diocese of Kottar and much deliberation, the [[Conference of Catholic Bishops of India]] (CCBI), Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council (TNBC), later in 2004, duly recommended his beatification, following scrutiny of available historical evidence, in consultation with others.<ref name=newindpress/> [[Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom|Bishop Chrysostom]] said that the CBCI did not intend any controversy whatsoever in moving this forward.<ref name=newindpress/>

Professor [[A. Sreedhara Menon]] (1925–2010), a noted historian and writer on Travancore, said that no cases of persecution in the name of religious conversion were recorded in the history of the kingdom.<ref name=hvk/><ref name=challenged/>
[[P. Parameswaran]], president of the Hindu spiritual organisation [[Vivekananda Kendra]], accused the CBCI of an attempt to hurt Hindu sentiments. Referring to the Travancore state manual, he insisted that Devasahayam was a palace employee who was executed after confirmation of sedition, because he had tampered with palace records and passed them to [[De Lannoy]].<ref name=hvk/><ref name=challenged/>

However, Catholic records of the time state that the kingdom of Travancore did not tolerate palace officials converting to Christianity.<ref name=Paulinus/>

In June 2012, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues" – a major step towards [[beatification]] – and Pillai was then referred to as "[[Venerable#Christianity|Venerable]]".<ref name=ucanindia>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucanindia.in/news/two-indian-laymen-placed-on-sainthood-road/18381/daily|title=Two Indian laymen placed on sainthood road|publisher=ucan india|access-date=30 June 2012}}</ref>

===Beatification and declaration as a martyr===

Devasahayam Pillai was declared a Martyr and Blessed on 2 December 2012, at a solemn ceremony held in the [[Diocese of Kottar]] at [[Carmel Higher Secondary School|Carmel Higher Secondary School Grounds]], [[Nagercoil]], near the place of his burial. The Prefect of the [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]], [[Angelo Cardinal Amato]] presided at the function as Delegate of Pope Benedict XVI.

Several cardinals, archbishops and bishops from India and elsewhere, as well as numerous priests, religious men and women and over 100,000 Catholics<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article1364366.ece |newspaper=The Indian Express|date=3 December 2012 |title=Devasahayam Pillai beatified |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ck5GgC7G?url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article1364366.ece |archive-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> from all over India participated in the grand ceremony which included a [[Solemn Pontifical Mass]].

Among the dignitaries officiating at the altar were [[Angelo Cardinal Amato]], [[Oswald Gracias|Oswald Cardinal Gracias]] (Archbishop of Mumbai), [[Telesphore Toppo|Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo]] (Archbishop of Ranchi), [[George Alencherry|George Cardinal Alencherry]] (Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church), [[Baselios Cleemis|Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos]] (Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church), [[Apostolic Nunciature to India|Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio]] (Apostolic Nuncio to India), and Bishop Peter Remigius ([[Diocese of Kottar|Bishop of Kottar]]).

Devasahayam Pillai is the first [[laity|lay person]] from India to be beatified by the Catholic Church.

On the same day as Devasahayam Pillai was declared a Blessed in the Diocese of Kottar, India, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] addressed the pilgrims gathered in Rome. During his [[Angelus]] Message the Pope mentioned the event in Italian and English.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130421223428/http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/30135.php?index=30135&lang=sp Pope Benedict on Devasahayam Pillai's Beatification]</ref> He said in Italian:

<blockquote>Today in Kottar, India, Devasahayam Pillai, a faithful layman, who lived in the 18th century and died a martyr, was proclaimed Blessed. Let us join in the joy of the Church in India and pray that this newly Beatified sustain the faith of the Christians of that great and noble country.</blockquote>

Then he addressed the crowds in English:

<blockquote>I welcome all gathered here today to pray with me. I especially greet the people of Kottar who celebrate today the beatification of Devasahayam Pillai. His witness to Christ is an example of that attentiveness to the coming of Christ recalled by this first Sunday of Advent. May this holy season help us to centre our lives once more on Christ, our hope. God bless all of you!</blockquote>

==Places of interest==
Devasahayam Pillai is buried in the [[St. Xavier's Church, Kottar|Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier]] at [[Kottar]] in Nagercoil.<ref name=TheHindu2004/><ref name="kottar-diocese"/> Devasahayam's tomb has been restored and beautified in view of the declaration of martyrdom and beatification.<ref>Bishop Peter Remigius, "Circular Letter on the Martyrdom and Beatification of Devasahayam Pillai", ''Kottar Newsletter'', August 2012, Bishop's House, Nagercoil, India.</ref>

Devasahyam Pillai's clothes and other belongings are kept in a church in the small town of [[Vadakkankulam]] in [[Tirunelveli District]] of [[Tamil Nadu]] State, India. They are exposed at the church on 15 August every year, the feast of the [[Assumption of Mary]]. His wife was buried in the cemetery there.

Puliyoorkurichi, location of the water fountain believed to have quenched Devasahayam's thirst, is on the [[Nagercoil]]–[[Trivandrum]] highway.

[[Aralvaimozhy]], where Devasahayam was killed, is on the Nagercoil–[[Tirunelveli]] highway. At that spot on the hillock (called Kaattadimalai), devotees believe that rocks fell and were broken at that moment. One rock at the place makes bell-like sounds when knocked with a stone.

==Canonization==
On 21 February 2020, Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Devasahayam, clearing his way to canonization (sainthood).<ref name="Vatican News"/>

==See also==
{{portal|Catholicism}}
{{Commons category|Devasahayam Pillai}}
* [[List of blesseds]]
* [[Chemmanvilai#St. Antony Church|St. Antony Church in Chemmanvilai]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*''The Nectar of the Gods'', King Marthanda Varma and Devasahayam, A play in three acts, Gopikrishnan Kottoor, 2015{{importance inline|date=December 2015}}
*Leita, Clement Joseph C. ''Martyrdom of Devasahayam.'' An Extract from the Report submitted to Pope Benedict XIV on the occasion of the Ad Limina Visit by Most Rev. Clement Joseph C. Leita, S.J., Bishop of Cochin, 15 November 1756 [[:de:Clemens Joseph Colaco Leitao|Clemens Joseph Colaco Leitao]]. Canonization Committee, Diocese of Kottar, 2009.
*''National Symposium on Devasahayam Pillai''. Department of History and Tourism & Historical Commission for the Cause of Martyr Devasahayam. Nagarkoil, 2008.
*Mathavadiyan, A. ''Devasahayampilla Charthram''. [Malayam. History of Devasahayam Pilla.] Trivandrum: City Press, 2006.
* J. Rosario Narchison,"Towards a Historiography of Martyr Devasahayam," in "India's Christian Heritage" Ed. O. L. Snaitang and George Menachery, CHAI, Bangalore, 2011, pp. 135–145.
*Ferroli, D. ''Jesuits in Malabar''. Vol. II. Bangalore, 1951.
*Ibrahim Kunhu, A.P. ''Marthanda Varma: The Rise of Modern Travancore''. [Malayalam.] Thiruvananthapuram: Cultural Publications Department, Govt. of Kerala, 2005.
*Kottukapally, Joseph. "Devasahayam Pilla: Convert, Apostle, Revolutionary, Martir [sic], I." ''Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection'' 76/1 (2012) 27-42.
*Kottukapally, Joseph. "Devasahayam Pilla: Convert, Apostle, Revolutionary, Martyr, II." ''Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection'' 76/2 (2012) 108-120.
*Narchison, Rosario J. ''Martyr Devasahayam. A Documented History.'' Nagarcoil: Canonization Committee, 2009.

==External links==
*[http://www.martyrdevasagayam.org/ Official Website] ([http://www.martyrdevasagayam.org/books.html Bibliography])

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{{Christianity in Kerala}}

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[[Category:People from Kanyakumari district]]
[[Category:Indian beatified people]]
[[Category:Indian former Hindus]]
[[Category:1752 deaths]]
[[Category:1712 births]]
[[Category:Indian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Beatifications by Pope Benedict XVI]]
[[Category:Canonizations by Pope Francis]]
[[Category:Converts to Roman Catholicism from Hinduism]]
[[Category:18th-century Roman Catholic martyrs]]
[[Category:Venerated Catholics from Kerala]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian scholars]]

Devasahayam Pillai - Revision history

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