By George Kommattam
Chevayur, Jan 31, 2026: A parish in the diocese of Thamarassery has honored St. Devasahayam Pillai by staging a drama on the life of India’s first martyr saint.
The Nithya Sahaya Matha Church (Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help) in Kozhikode’s Chevayoor staged “Kattadimalayile Raktha Pushpam” (The Blood Flower of Kattadimala) on January 23 as part of its parish feast celebrations.
The 90-minute drama enacted by the parishioners depicted the life, faith, courage and martyrdom of the saint, who was recently proclaimed the patron of the laity in India.
The script was written and directed by Mathew Parackal, a member of the parish, who selected around 40 parish members for the production. They practiced the drama during evenings, since all of them are working people.
The saint was born on April 23, 1712, as Neelakanta Pillai in a Hindu family was baptized Lazarus in 1745.
He was shot dead on the orders of the king of Travancore and his body was carelessly thrown away near the foothills at Kattadimalai, now in Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022.
Parackal said the performance was the result of two years of preparation and practice.
The layman said he was inspired to write the drama after staying at the saint’s birthplace for a few days. He also studied available historical books and records to ensure accuracy and depth while writing the script.
Appreciating the effort, parish priest Father Tomy Kalathoor said the parishioners had prepared and practised well with the intention of offering spiritual renewal to others. “It is a new and meaningful way of evangelisation, especially through the active involvement of the laity,” he said.
The drama won the audience’s applause. Jolly Chennattu, a member of a neighboring parish, said the drama was an effective way for the laity to spread the Good News. “Instead of routine entertainment programs during parish feasts, this initiative truly conveys the message of faith. It should be staged in every parish,” he said.
Jancy Jolly, a catechism teacher of the parish, observed that visual storytelling has a strong influence on faith formation. “Teaching about saints in classrooms can be challenging, but watching a drama on the life of a saint is a hundred times more effective,” she added.
Echoing this view, George Sebastian, a lay leader, said the drama was a powerful medium to communicate the life and witness of St. Devasahayam Pillai. “Through such creative expressions, faith becomes more relatable and deeply touching, especially for the younger generation,” he said.