The first Indian layman to be a saint will be the martyr of Lazarus, Devashaayam Pillai (1712-1752), a Hindu convert to Christianity.

• Devasahayam Pillai was born on April 23, 1712, in Nattalam village in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
• He served in the court of Marthanda Varma of Travancore. He insisted on the equality of all people.
• Pope Francis of the Vatican canonized Devasahayam during the Canonization Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.

• Apart from Devasahayam Pillai, eight others were declared saints.

They include four men and four women.

Four men: Titus Brandsma, Cesar de Bus, Luigi Maria Palazzolo, Giustino Maria Russolillo, and Charles de Foucauld. 

Four women: Maria Rivier, Maria Francesca of Jesus Rubatto, Maria of Jesus Santocanale, and Maria Domenica Mantovani.

By: Brijesh Kumar