Pope Leo, through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has officially declared Saint Lazarus Devasahayam as the Patron of the Laity in India.
The declaration follows a petition by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and was confirmed in a decree issued on July 16, 2025.
The solemn proclamation will take place on October 15, 2025 during a Eucharistic Celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Varanasi, coinciding with the annual national meeting of diocesan and regional secretaries of the CCBI Laity Commission. Lay representatives and Church leaders from across India are expected to participate.
In a statement reveled on September 20, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, invited bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful throughout the country to celebrate this historic moment.
“We hope that devotion to Saint Lazarus Devasahayam will inspire the lay faithful in India to grow in love for God, deepen their practice of faith, and actively serve both the Church and society,” Cardinal Ferrão said.
Who is Saint Devasahayam?
Saint Lazarus Devasahayam (1712–1752) was the first Indian layman and martyr to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
Born Neelakanda Pillai in Nattalam, Tamil Nadu, South India, he served as a court official in the Kingdom of Travancore (in present-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu). Inspired by the Christian faith, he converted in 1745 and was baptized as Lazarus, Devasahayam in Tamil, meaning “God is my help.”
His conversion led to severe persecution. Refusing to renounce his faith, he endured imprisonment, torture, and finally execution in 1752. His steadfast witness has made him a symbol of courage and fidelity for Indian Catholics.
He was beatified in 2012 in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, and canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022 at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
A Model for Today’s Laity
The Catholic Church in India hopes that recognizing Saint Devasahayam as the Patron of the Laity will strengthen the role of lay people in the Church’s mission and inspire greater witness in society.
As Cardinal Ferrão emphasized, this patronage is not only a recognition of the saint’s sacrifice but also a call for today’s laity to live their faith with the same courage and dedication.
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