Devasahayam Pillai, who embraced Christianity in the 18th century, on May 15 became the first Indian layman to be declared a saint by Pope Francis during an impressive canonisation ceremony at the Vatican.
Devasahayam was recommended for the process of Beatification by the Vatican in 2004, at the request of the Kottar diocese, Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.
Pope Francis, 85, canonised Blessed Devasahayam during a Canonisation Mass in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
