Pope Leo Declares Saint Devasahayam Patron of the Laity
New Delhi (CCBI): Holy Father Pope Leo, through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has officially confirmed Saint Lazarus Devasahayam as the Patron of the Laity in India. This confirmation follows a petition submitted by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and was granted through a decree issued on 16 July 2025.
The solemn proclamation of this patronage will take place on 15 October 2025 during a Eucharistic Celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Varanasi. The event will coincide with the annual national meeting of the diocesan and regional secretaries of the CCBI Laity Commission, gathering representatives from dioceses across the country.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, has issued a circular inviting Archbishops, Bishops, Parish Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful to celebrate this historic moment in every diocese and parish and to actively promote devotion to Saint Lazarus Devasahayam across India.
“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,” said Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão.
Saint Lazarus Devasahayam (1712–1752) was a Hindu convert to Christianity and the first layman and martyr from India to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Born Neelakanda Pillai in Nattalam, Tamil Nadu, he served as a court official in the Kingdom of Travancore. Drawn to the Christian faith, he converted in 1745 and was baptized as Lazarus (Devasahayam in Tamil, meaning “God is my help”). His conversion led to persecution, imprisonment, and torture for refusing to renounce his faith, and he was executed in 1752.
He was beatified on 2 December 2012 at Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis canonized him on 15 May 2022 at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, proclaiming him a model of courage, faith, and commitment to justice.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General, CCBI