
St. Devasahayam: A Unique Lay Martyr
Historical accounts abound of incredible anecdotal incidents, including miracles, when the lay martyr was being tortured publicly for refusing to recant his faith during the mid-18th century.
Historical accounts abound of incredible anecdotal incidents, including miracles, when the lay martyr was being tortured publicly for refusing to recant his faith during the mid-18th century.
A post-canonization Thanksgiving Mass was held June 5, drawing hundreds of thousands of the faithful.
The Dalit-born archbishop of Hyderabad will be elevated to the College of Cardinals at a consistory in August.
Meanwhile, activists in the Asian island-nation credit the Catholic Church’s ‘bold and strong stance’ with helping to inspire massive protests against the Sri Lankan government’s management of the country’s economic crisis.
Despite fierce opposition from most of his own archdiocesan priests, including his metropolitan vicar, the head of India’s Syro-Malabar Church celebrated Palm Sunday Mass facing the altar for part of the liturgy.
‘I cannot forget his sacrifice,’ said Father Francis Gulzar, who was saying Mass when Akash Bashir gave up his life to prevent a suicide bomber from entering the church.
Despite the restoration of the congregation’s license to receive foreign donations, Catholic leaders warn that other actions are likely in the future.
The Hindu nationalist government announced new restriction blocking foreign contributions to the Catholic order on Christmas Day. The funding block goes into effect Dec. 31.
On Dec. 21 the Hindu nationalist government of the Indian state of Karnataka introduced harsh legislation intended to prevent conversions from Hinduism to other faiths.
Blessed Devasahayam, an 18th-century lay convert soldier who was tortured and killed by a Hindu king because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith, will be canonized in May.
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