By Matters India Reporter
Trichy, Dec 5, 2019: Bishop F. Antonisamy of Kumbakonam has declared Capuchin Father John Peter Savarinayagam of Tamil Nadu as a ‘Servant of God’ at Amalashram, Trichy.
The prelate on December 3 opened the diocesan process for Father Peter’s beatification and canonization.
The bishop, the vice-postulator of this cause, and the members of the diocesan inquiry took the oath of secrecy.
Around 5.000 Catholics from different parts of Tamil Nadu attended the program. Capuchin Father A Thainis, the vice-postulator, organized the event.
Devasahayam Pillai, a lay martyr, is the first Catholic from Tamil Nadu to be beatified.
With Father Peter, the southern Indian state has nine Servant of God, the second stage in the four-phase canonization process.
The others are Father Louis Savinien Dupuis of the Foreign Missions of Paris, Thatipatri Gnanamma, Annammal Selvanayagam, Augustine Pereira, Peter Paradesi, Fr. Antony Soosainather, Fr. Lourdu Xavier Savarirayan, Jesuit Father Louis Marie Leveil.
Father Peter was born to Savarinayagam and Thomaiammal on May 29, 1941, at Thiruppanthuruthy, Thanjavur district.
A resident of Michealpatti, a Catholic village, had his primary education at his home town and high school at Thirukattupalli.
He joined the Capuchins, Coimbatore, in 1959. He was given the religious name Roland. He was ordained a priest on December 11, 1969.
Father A Thainis says Father Peter was noted for his keenness and austerity during his formation years. After ordination, he was assigned to teach at the minor seminary, Amalashram (Immaculate hermitage).
In 1974, he was sent to Rome, to specialize on spirituality. In Rome he showed interest on the spirituality of mystics such as Saints Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross.
His calm and serene life pushed him towards these great Carmelite mystics, Father Thainis added.
In 1976, Father Peter was appointed at Amalashram and was appointed the director of the minor seminary.
In 1978, he was elected as a provincial councilor. He was the spiritual animator of the Sisters of St Anne’s (Trichy) and Holy Cross.
He was appreciated for his spiritual discourses and holy life. He helped the poor and the suffering. He stayed awake at night to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
In August 1978 Father Peter complained of pain in the stomach. At Madras General (Rajiv Gandhi) Hospital, he was operated on and the suspicion of cancer was confirmed.
He passed away 15 days after the operation on March 2, 1979. He was 38.
His mortal remains were brought to Amalashram and laid to rest in the Capuchin friary.
His companions recall him enduring his pain and agony without complaints. Many came to sympathize with him but he used to repeat the words of St. Paul “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1: 21).
People now visit his tomb to prayer for various needs. They offer flowers and candles at his tomb.