2022

St Devasahayam Pillai, the first Indian lay saint

On 15 May 2022 Pope Francis canonised Devasahayam Pillai, baptised in this church on 14 May 1745, the first Indian layman ever raised to the altars. In 1894 the Jesuit historian Auguste Jean recorded that the church held a part of his garment and the chains with which he was bound. The diocese records that the head-cloth he wore as a Travancore court official is kept here; each 15 August it is exposed in a glass case for veneration.

DocumentedThis moment rests on 6 sources.
Vatican News
was baptized at the Catholic church of Vadakkankulam village… by Jesuit priest Father Bouttari

Vatican News — the canonisation of Devasahayam PillaiHoly See news service, 2021

A published web source. We quote it and link to it.

What this source establishes

That the man canonised in 2022 was baptised in THIS church. The Holy See's own source says so.