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Udupi, Jan 14: Catholic Sabha Milagres Kallianpur unit celebrated “Laity Day” the first Indian Layman martyr, St Devasahayam,  formally declared the ‘Patron of the Indian Laity’, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The thanksgiving mass was celebrated by Very Rev Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Rector of the Cathedral, Vicar General of Udupi diocese and Diocesan Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh along with Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Asst. parish priest of the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur.

In his introduction prior to the mass and in during the homily, Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves said that in an historic move that has sent ripples joy through the subcontinent and the global Catholic Community, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India(CCBI) has officially announced that St Devasahayam has been declared the Patron Saint of the Laity in India which confirmed by the authority of Pope Leo XIV in July 2025 marks a watershed moment for the India Catholic Church which recognizes the first Indian layman martyr saint not merely as a historical figure, but as a living model for millions of ordinary believers.

The life of a courtier turned Christ-Bearer was born in 1712 as Neelakandan and later called Nilakanda Pillai in the village of Nattalam, Tamil Nadu, the man who would become St Devasahaym was raised in a high-caste Nair family. His father was a Hindu priest, and Neelakanda himself rose to a position of significant influence as an official in the court of King Marthanda Varma, the powerful ruler of Kingdom of Travancore.

The declaration of St Devasahayam as the patron of the laity is highly significant for several reasons. By elevating a layman to this position of patronage (Patron of Laity), the church challenges the spirit of clericalism. Pope Francis often says and that the laity are creative subjects of evangelization, nor merely passive recipients of grace. St Devasahayam teaches the Indian Laity to recognize the dignity of every person and to build bridges instead of walls. The message to the Indian Church is clear. The laity have a patron who is one of their own, a courtier who served his king well, but served his God first.

After the mass, brief programme was held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall. Very Rev Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Spiritual director of the Milagres unit and Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Marceline Sera, President of Milagres unit, Ronald D’Almieda, President of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Dr. Gerald Pinto, Director of Laity Commission, Diocese of Udupi and former President of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, Wilson Fernandes of Fernandes Group and Entrepreneur as Guest of honor,  Melwyn Sequiera, Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council and Coordinator of parish pastoral commissions and Nelson D’Souza Secretary of the unit were present on the dais.

The formal programme was begun with invocation prayer of the catholic sabha conducted by Maina Lewis and Nancy Martis. Marceline Sera welcomed the gathering.

Dr. Gerald Pinto placed the briefly on St Devasahayam, the reason behind him to declare as a Saint and patron of Laity.

During the occasion, newly appointed three gurkars Nancy Martis, Pushpalatha Fernandes and Mala Lewis were felicitated by Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves and guests on the dais.

Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves spoke during the occasion and appreciated the works of Catholic Sabha for the parish and diocese as well. He gave gratitude to all the officials and members of the Catholic Sabha unit.

Dr. Gerald Pinto placed the briefly on St Devasahayam, the reason behind him to declare as a Saint and patron of Laity.

Fr. Pradeep Cardoza also placed his message on the occasion and how the laity congregation help to empower our society with faith, hope and prayer.

Wilson Fernandes also spoke during the occasion and asked to participate in the Milagres Utsav on the part of the Milagres Parish annual feast.

Ronald Almeida gave gratitude to Catholic Sabha Milagres Unit for organizing the beautiful programme “Laity Day” and introduced the details of Musical Nite will be held on Easter Sunday at Mount Rosary Church compound for the charity cause of the needy and gave Musical Nite programme tickets to the President of the unit to distribute the same.

At the end, Nelson D’Souza delivered vote of thanks. Rose Convent community superior Lilly Pushpa, Sr. Ida and Sr Diana, former catholic sabha presidents’, Gurkars, large number of members and others were present. The programme was winded up with distribution of tiffin for the participants.