Notes (FAQ on Servant of God Devasahayam) Venish Arulan Peri 12345678901234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012 Title of the book : Kattadimalai Martyr (Frequently Asked Questions on Servant of God Devasahayam) First Edition : 2011 Authors : Venish, Arulan, Peri Published by : Anal Publications Thiruvalluvar Book Stall 13, Bethesda Complex, Women Christian College Road, Dedication Nagercoil - 629 001. Mobile: 9442584238 to Paper : Map litho Copies : 2000 Rev. Dr. E. John Kulandai Printed at : Print Point Offset Joseph Convent Complex, Cape Road, Nagercoil - 629 001 Rev. Dr. E. John Kulandai, From the Authors External Collaborator Bishop’s House, It is really a pleasure to prepare this small P.B.17, booklet on the life of the Servant of God, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. Devasahayam. Since the two previous Tamil Tamil Nadu, India-629 001 books, Kattadimali Kaalthadankal (Footsteps) E-mail: [email protected] Published by: Anal Publications Thiruvalluvar Book Stall and Kattadimalai Kadithangal (Letters) and a 13, Bethesda Complex, booklet, Kattadimalai Kathiravan (Biography) Women Christian College Road, received such a warm reception from pilgrims Nagercoil 629001. and readers, it was considered useful to Mobile: 9442584238 provide an English booklet about the Martyr in the user-friendly form of frequently asked questions and answers. Hope this will be useful to anyone wanting a quick reference about the Martyr. From the Publishers For contact:- Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Mariadasan Anal Publishers are very proud to present Vicar General this booklet on the Martyr Devasahayam on Bishop’s House, P.B.17 the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. Martyr. It is hoped that this small Tamil Nadu, India - 629 001 contribution of easy literature on Phone : 00-91-(0)4652-279152, 279343 Fax : 00-91-(0) 4652-225170 Devasahayam will bring joy to readers. E-mail : [email protected] E-mail : [email protected] Rev. Fr. Gabriel, Vice Postulator Bishop’s House, P.B.17 Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. Tamil Nadu, India - 629 001 Phone : 00-91-(0)4652-228396 Cell : 00-91-9443808851 E-mail : [email protected] 270. Who was appointed as External KATTADIMALAI MARTYR Collaborator for the Cause? (FAQ on SERVANT OF GOD Rev Msgr John Kulandai was appointed DEVASAHAYAM) as External Collaborator for the Cause on 9th July 2010. 1. Is there an official diocesan website for 271. As External Collaborator what did Rev Servant of God, Devasahayam ? Msgr John Kulandai do? The official diocesan web address for As External Collaborator, Rev Msgr Servant of God, Devasahayam is John Kulandai prepared the Positio http:// www.martyrdevasagayam.org (Position Paper) in July 2011. 2. Who was the first man to be martyred for Christ in India? St Thomas the Apostle was the first to be sacrificed for Christ in India. 3. When did St Thomas come to India? St Thomas came to India in the year CE 52. 80 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 5 4. When did St Thomas attain martyrdom? 267. When was the Diocesan Enquiry He attained his martyrdom in the year Commission concluded? CE 72. The Diocesan Enquiry Commission was 5. How many churches did St Thomas concluded on 7th September 2008. build? He built seven and half churches (one 268. When was the Diocesan Enquiry was not completed). Commission Report sent to Rome? 6. Who was known as the second Apostle The Diocesan Enquiry Commission of India? Report was sent to Rome on 24th St Francis Xavier was known as the September 2008. second Apostle of India. 269. Who was appointed as Relator for the 7. When did St Francis Xavier come to India? Cause? St Francis Xavier came to India in the Fr Zdzislaw Kijas OFM was appointed year CE 1542. as Relator for the Cause on 9th July 8. How many churches were built at the 2010. time of St Francis Xavier? Forty five churches were built at the time of St Francis Xavier. 6 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 79 264. When did the presentation of the cause 9. What was the liturgical language used to the Congregation for Causes of Saints by the first Christians of Travancore? take place? The first Christians of Travancore used The presentation of the cause to the Syriac as their liturgical language. Congregation for Causes of Saints took 10. When did the usage of Syriac as the place on 15th November 2003. liturgical language change? 265. When did the Catholic Bishops’ The arrival of the Portuguese changed Conference of India (CBCI) endorse the this to Latin. Cause of Devasahayam? 11. Which are the most important historical The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of places connected with Devasahayam? India (CBCI) endorsed the Cause of There are a number of important Devasahayam on 9th January 2004. historical places connected with 266. When was the Diocesan Enquiry Devasahayam, specifically; Commission inaugurated? Nattalam- His place of birth. The Diocesan Enquiry Commission was inaugurated on 28th January 2006. Vadakankulam- The parish where he was baptised. 78 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 7 Puliyoorkurichi- The place where the 261. When was the museum of the Servant first miracle took place during the of God, Devasahayam opened at shaming parade. Devasahayam Mount? Kattadimalai- His place of martyrdom. The museum of the Servant of God, Devasahayam was opened on 12th Kottar- The place where his mortal January 2006 at Devasahayam Mount. remains were buried. 262. When was the retreat centre at 12. When was Devasahayam born? Nattalam opened? Devasahayam was born in CE 1712. The retreat centre at Nattalam was 13. What was his father’s name? opened on 14th January 2006. His father’s name was Vasudevan 263. When was the Supplementary Tribunal Nambudiri. constituted? 14. What was the occupation of his father? The Supplementary Tribunal was rd His father was a poojari at Nattalam constituted on 3 March 2006. Adikesavaperumal Temple. 8 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 77 Commission found the original 15. Which was the native town of Vasudevan manuscript of Varthama Pusthagam Namboodiri? (1773-1786). The native town of Vasudevan 259. Where did the Commission find it? Namboodiri was Maruthamkulamkarai, near Kayankulam, in Kollam District, It was found in the archives of the Kerala State. Archdiocese of Ernakulum. 16. What was his house name? 260. What was considered as the breakthrough of the Historical His house name was Maruthamkulamkarai. Commission? 17. What was his mother’s name? The discovery of the Quinquennial His mother’s name was Devahi Ammai. Report of the Most Rev Dr Clemens 18. What was his sister’s name? Joseph SJ was considered as the breakthrough of the Historical His sister’s name was Lekshimi Kutty. Commission. 19. What was his original religion? His original religion was Hinduism. 76 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 9 20. What was his Hindu name? to the diocese was that he recommended His Hindu name was Neelakandan. a new Historical Commission for the cause. 21. What is the meaning of Neelakandan? It means a God with a blue neck. 256. When was the new Historical Commission appointed? 22. How did the God get this name? The new Historical Commission was God consumed poison to save humanity appointed on 5th July 2004. and the neck (throat) became blue from contact with the poison. 257. What was the task of the Historical Commission? 23. Which caste did he belong to? The task of the Historical Commission He belonged to the Hindu Nair caste. was to establish beyond doubt the fact 24. What was his teacher’s name? of the martyrdom of Devasahayam. His teacher’s name was Santathiru 258. What was the contribution of the new Karaikanda Mutthappar. Historical Commission? The contribution of the new Historical Commission was that the members of the 10 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 75 252. When was Fr George Nedungatt SJ 25. Who were his close friends? appointed as postulator? His close friends were Kottavilai Asan He was appointed as postulator on 14th Thommai Chinnathampi Annaavii, November 2003. Thomman Thirumuthu, and Mariamallan Maayakutty. 253. When did Rome declare Nihil Obstat for the appointment of postulator? 26. What was his Christian name? Rome declared Nihil Obstat for the His Christian name was Devasahayam. appointment of postulator on 22nd 27. How was he popularly known? December 2003. He was popularly known as Devasahayam. 254. Who was the vice postulator for the 28. What was the Latin name for Roman phase? Devasahayam? The vice postulator for the Roman phase Dei Adjutorium. was Fr Gabriel. 29. When did he have his basic education? 255. What was the significance of the postulators’ visit to the diocese? He had his basic and traditional education from 1718-1721. The significance of the postulators’ visit 74 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 11 30. What did he learn? 248. What was the name of the book? He learnt Sanskrit and had special It was titled, “Martyr Devasahayam: A training in martial arts. Documented History.” 31. What kind of martial arts did he learn? 249. When was the new prayer card He learnt traditional martial arts called approved? “Kalari.” It was approved on 26th October 2003. 32. What languages did he speak? 250. When did the diocese open a new office He spoke both Tamil and Malayalam. for the cause? th 33. Did he have any other training? It opened a new office on 25 May 2004. Yes, he did have training in archery, Varma Sasthra (study of the body’s 251. Who was the postulator at the Roman nerve system) and use of weapons of phase? war. The postulator at the Roman phase was 34. Did he study anything else? Rev Fr George Nedungatt SJ. He also studied subjects such as philosophy, grammar and Hindu doctrine. 12 Kattadimalai Martyr Kattadimalai Martyr 73 244. When was the monument of Devasahayam 35.