2012-11-26 15:28:40

Beatification of Indian lay martyr, Dec. 2


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.








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