New Delhi, 20 September 2025 (CCBI):
In a historic announcement, the Holy Father Pope Leo, through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has officially confirmed Saint Lazarus Devasahayam as the Patron of the Laity in India. The declaration follows a petition submitted by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and was granted through a decree issued on 16 July 2025.
The solemn proclamation of this patronage will be made on 15 October 2025 during a Eucharistic Celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Varanasi. This event will coincide with the Annual National Meeting of the CCBI Commission for Laity, bringing together diocesan and regional secretaries of Laity Commissions from across the country.
Issuing a circular to all dioceses, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI and Archbishop of Goa and Daman, invited Archbishops, Bishops, Parish Priests, Religious, and Lay Faithful to commemorate this historic moment with special celebrations and fitting devotion in parishes 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,” said Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão.
About Saint Lazarus Devasahayam
Saint Lazarus Devasahayam (1712–1752), born as Neelakanda Pillai in Nattalam, Tamil Nadu, was a Hindu convert to Christianity and became the first layman and martyr from India to be canonised by the Catholic Church.
After serving as a court official in the Kingdom of Travancore, he embraced Christianity in 1745 and was baptised as Lazarus (Devasahayam in Tamil, meaning “God is my help”). His courageous faith led to intense persecution, imprisonment, and torture for refusing to renounce Christ. He was martyred in 1752.
The Church recognised his holiness with beatification on 2 December 2012 in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, and canonisation on 15 May 2022 at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, by Pope Francis. He is now revered as a model of courage, faith, and justice for the Church in India and worldwide.
This historic declaration marks a new chapter in the life of the Indian Church, affirming Saint Devasahayam as a guiding light for the laity’s mission of faith and service.
