November 26, 2012 - The Diocese of Kottar in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state is
gearing up for a unique event on Sunday – the beatification ceremony when Devasahayam
Pillai, an 18th century Hindu convert to Catholicism in Tamil Nadu, will be officially
declared ‘Blessed’ by the Catholic Church. The event is expected to draw nearly
100,000 people from across the state. Forty bishops of the church, priests and religious
people all over are also expected to attend the beatification at Carmel Higher Secondary
School campus in Nagercoil. Pillai, a married layman who served in the court of the
King of Travancore, was martyred for professing his Catholic faith. Pope Benedict
had in June recognized Pillai as a martyr for faith clearing him for beatification,
the last step before final sainthood. Fr. A. Gabriel, the vice-postulator or vice-promoter
of the cause of Pillai said that Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation
for the Causes of Saints will preside over the Mass of Beatification in Kottar Diocese
on behalf of Pope Benedict. The priest had been heading the committee for the beatification
process in Kottar diocese. Earlier, Cardinal Amato has stated that Pillai stuck
to his faith till his death and he is an example for the Catholic Church in India.
Along with Cardinal Amato, Indian Cardinals Oswald Gracias, Telespore Toppo, George
Alencherry and Mar Baselios Cleemis are expected to attend the beatification ceremony.
Fr. Gabriel said that efforts for the beatification of Pillai started as soon he was
martyred and the then Bishop Clement Joseph of Cochin submitted a report to the Vatican
in 1756. Later, the laity of the diocese started taking efforts in a full-fledged
manner and formed a local committee called Catholic Club at Nagercoil in 1984 and
the continuous efforts of the diocese and the laity have yielded the results. "It
is a great honour that Devasahayam Pillai is to be beatified and we are eagerly preparing
for the event," Fr. Gabriel added.