St. Devasahayam – Patron of the Indian Laity

By Fr. Merlin Rengith Ambrose | January 13, 2026

St. Devasahayam, the first Indian layman martyr, will be formally declared the “Patron of the Indian Laity” on January 14, 2026.

The announcement will be marked by a grand Eucharistic celebration at Devasahayam Mount in the Kottar Diocese, South India, presided over by Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore, in the presence of Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, along with numerous bishops.

The date carries deep significance, as it marks the anniversary of 1752, when St. Devasahayam was executed for his unwavering faith.

The Life of a Courtier Turned Christ-Bearer

Born in 1712 as Neelakandan, later called Nilakanda Pillai, in the village of Nattalam, Tamil Nadu, he was raised by a father who was a Hindu priest. Neelakanda himself rose to a position of influence as an official in the court of King Marthanda Varma, the powerful ruler of the Kingdom of Travancore.

His life was comfortable until 1741. After the Colachel War, he met Dutch sea captain Eustachius Benedictus de Lannoy, who had been taken prisoner but later served the Maharaja. Under the shade of mango trees, de Lannoy shared the Gospel with Neelakanda, speaking of a God who made no distinction between high caste and low caste, rich and poor.

Moved by this message of universal equality and divine love, Neelakanda chose baptism in 1745. He took the name “Devasahayam”, meaning “God is my help.” His wife followed him into the faith, marking the beginning of a radical transformation that ultimately led to his martyrdom.

A Radical Witness Against Caste and Clericalism

In 18th-century India, breaking caste barriers was not merely a religious choice—it was a social and political transgression. By embracing Christianity, Devasahayam surrendered his caste privileges and aligned himself with the “lowly.” His preaching emphasized the equality of all people regardless of caste, aroused suspicion among the people and the royal household.

Falsely accused of treason and espionage, Devasahayam was stripped of his post and arrested in 1749. For three years, he endured systematic torture—paraded through villages in chains, mocked by crowds, and whipped. Yet he remained steadfast, forgiving his tormentors and comforting fellow prisoners. On January 14, 1752, at the age of 40, he was taken to a remote hill at Aralvaimozhy and executed.

From Martyrdom to Patronage: A 300-Year Journey

While local fishermen, farmers, and laborers immediately recognized his holiness, the official path to sainthood took centuries. Modern momentum began in 1993. He was beatified on December 2, 2012, in the Kottar Diocese during the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, who hailed him as a “faithful layman.”

On May 15, 2022, when Pope Francis canonized him at St. Peter’s Basilica, he noted that Devasahayam’s life proves holiness is not an unreachable goal for a select few but comes from sharing God’s love in service to others without expecting anything in return.

Now, in 2025, the designation of St. Devasahayam as Patron Saint of the Laity in India entrusts the country’s millions of faithful to his care. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, expressed the collective hope of Indian bishops:

“The devotion to St. 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.”

Why Devasahayam? A Patron for Modern Challenges of the Laity

The declaration of St. Devasahayam as patron of the laity is significant for several reasons:

Recognition of the Lay Vocation: For too long, sainthood in India was associated with the clergy or religious life, with figures like St. Alphonsa, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, St. Mariam Thresia, and St. Euphrasia. St. Devasahayam, a married layman and court official, reminds the Church that holiness is accessible to the laity too.
A Challenge to Casteism: His martyrdom resulted directly from his stand for human equality. In a society still grappling with caste hierarchies, his patronage calls the Church to be truly inclusive and synodal. As a caste convert who identified with the marginalized, he challenges the Church to reject any lingering caste-based discrimination.
A Beacon for the Persecuted: The timing of this patronage is poignant. Attacks on Christians in India have risen sharply in recent years. For those facing harassment or displacement for their faith, St. Devasahayam is a patron who understands their suffering.
The Antidote to Clericalism: By elevating a layman to this position, the Church challenges clericalism and reminds the hierarchy that they must become a “poor Church for the poor,” as Pope Francis often says. The laity are active participants in evangelization, not merely passive recipients of grace.

Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar, where his shrine is located, said: “St. Devasahayam stands as a beacon of hope for all who suffer. His courageous endurance of persecution inspires not only the people of India but also millions of Christians worldwide who continue to suffer in silence for their faith. He did not find ‘magical protection’ from hardship, but he found a ‘hope that does not disappoint.’”

Bridges Instead of Walls

For lay Catholics, St. Devasahayam is an invitation to find holiness in the daily routines of life: preparing meals, resolving workplace conflicts fairly, standing up for a neighbor who has suffered injustice, remaining steadfast in convictions, and placing God above all else.

He teaches the laity to recognize the dignity of every person, forgive even at great cost, and build bridges instead of walls. His message to the Indian Church is clear: the laity now have a patron of their own—a courtier who served his king faithfully but served God first. Through his intercession, the Church in India seeks the courage to live the Gospel with the same unflinching faith that led Neelakanda Pillai from the comfort of the palace to the glory of the martyr’s crown.