BEATIFICATION AS A MARTYR



The Chairman of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints 
Angelo Cardinal Amato proclaims Devasahayam Pillai 
blessed at the ceremony at Nagercoil.

Devasahayam Pillai was declared a Martyr and Blessed on December 2, 2012, at a solemn ceremony held in the Diocese of Kottar at 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 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 Cardinal Gracias (Archbishop of Mumbai), Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo (Archbishop of Ranchi), George Cardinal Alencherry (Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church), Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos (Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church), Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio (Apostolic Nuncio to India), and Bishop Peter Remigius (Bishop of Kottar).

Blessed Devasahayam Pillai is the first lay person from India to be canonised 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. He said in Italian:

"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."

Then he addressed the crowds in English:

"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!"
Devasahayam Pillai beatified - The New Indian Express
Beatification of Martyr Devasahayam Pillai to be celebrated - The Hindu
First Lay Martyr of India Beatified - The Zenit
Vatican to beatify Indian lay martyr - ucanindia
Card Amato at Devasahayam Pillai's Beatification - Asianet News
Thousands attend beatification of Martyr Devasahayam - Vatican Radio
Beatification ceremony held for Devasahayam Pillai at Nagercoil - Missionaries of the World
Native martyr of Catholic church to be beatified by Vatican - The Times of India
Cardinal Angelo Amato beatifies Indian marytyr Devasahayam Pillai - EWTN
Thousands attend Beatification of Martyr Devasahayam Pillai - Catholic Bishops conference of India (CBCI)
Newly beatified Indian lay martyr praised for refusing to reject faith - National Catholic Reporter
The Vatican - The Holy See