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SaintMartyr

Saint Devasahayam Pillai

Saint Devasahayam Pillai, born into a high-caste Hindu family in the Kingdom of Travancore (present-day Kerala, India), lived a life of privilege and service.

Feast Day January 14Born April 23, 1712Died January 1, 1752

Biography

Saint Devasahayam Pillai, born into a high-caste Hindu family in the Kingdom of Travancore (present-day Kerala, India), lived a life of privilege and service. Fluent in Sanskrit, Tamil, and Malayalam, he was trained in martial arts and archery, married, and held a respected position in the royal treasury. His life took a profound turn in 1741 when he encountered a French prisoner of war who introduced him to Catholicism. After a period of study, he formally converted to the faith and was baptized on 14 May 174

Saint Devasahayam Pillai: image 1
Detail of A Photograph of A Statue of Blessed Devasahayam Pillai Artist Unknown Date Unknown Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral Kottar Nagercoil India Photographed By Kumbalam On 5 July 2013

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