By Stephen Alathara
New Delhi, Sept.20, 2025: Pope Leo has confirmed Lazarus Devasahayam, an 18th century Indian saint, as the patron of the laity in the country, the Latin bishops’ conference announced on September 20.
The July 16 confirmation came through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
It follows a petition submitted by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the national body of the Latin rite prelates in the country.
The official proclamation of the patronage will take place on October 15 during Mass 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 India, the conference stated.
Conference president Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão has issued a circular inviting archbishops, bishops, parish priests, religious and laity to celebrate the historic moment in every diocese and parish and to 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,” the cardinal added.
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. He was executed in 1752.
He was beatified on December 2, 2012, at Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, in a ceremony presided over by Salesian Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, proclaiming him a model of courage, faith, and commitment to justice.
The Catholic Church has no single patron for the entire laity. It has recognized different saints as patrons of various aspects and groups within the laity, such as Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) for laypeople living a holy life in the world and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) as a patron for young adults.
Another patron of the laity is Saint Thomas More (1478 – 1535), an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, theologian, and noted Renaissance humanist.
As Lord Chancellor of Henry VIII, Saint More opposed the Protestant Reformation and the British king’s separation from the Catholic Church. He was convicted of treason and was executed. At his execution, he was reported to have said: “I die the King’s good servant, and God’s first.”
Declaration of Saint Devasahayam as the patron Indian laity’s patron highlights that patronages can be specific to regions or particular lay callings.
Saint Lazarus Devasahayam – Pray for us.