Bishop’s Message
Dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers in Christ!
Greetings !
It is with deep joy that I share a moment of great significance for the Church in India, especially for our Diocese of Kottar. As we all know that the Holy Father, Pope Leo, has officially declared Saint Devasahayam, Martyr, as the Patron of the Laity in India. Our own diocese had the privilege of proposing this at the biannual meeting of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) in Bangalore in 2023, requesting that Saint Devasahayam be recognized as a model and patron for the lay faithful across our country. The proposal was warmly welcomed by the CCBI and forwarded to Rome. After due reflection, the Holy See asked that the matter be placed before CCBI for prayerful discernment and approval. Accordingly, during the Plenary Assembly of the CCBI in Bhubaneswar in February 2025, the Bishops unanimously endorsed this recommendation, recognizing in Saint Devasahayam an outstanding witness of faith in Christ, steadfast courage in the face of injustice, and a true model of lay discipleship for the Church in India. Following this, on 16 July 2025, Pope Leo, through an official decree, joyfully proclaimed Saint Devasahayam as the Patron of the Laity in India. The solemn proclamation of this patronage will be celebrated on 15 October 2025 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Varanasi, during a Eucharistic Celebration that coincides with the annual national gathering of the CCBI Laity Commission. This historic moment will bring together representatives from dioceses across India. His Eminence Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, has warmly invited Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious, and especially the Lay Faithful, to celebrate this historic moment in every diocese and parish and to actively promote devotion to Saint Devasahayam across India. On our part, we will shortly be reaching out to all parishes and religious institutions with a circular to help us prepare together for the joyful celebration of this moment of grace in our diocese. Another significant event of this year for the Catholic Church which we cannot easily bypass is the centenary of the canonization of St. Therese of Lisieux whose feast falls on October 1. Perhaps you might have gone through C’est la confiance (It is Trust), the 2023 Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux celebrating the 150th anniversary of her birth. It mainly centres on the spirituality of St. Therese especially her “little way” or “little greatness.” In an age that values authority, prestige and achievement, the Pope points to a radically counter-cultural path: the greatness of small things done with great love. St. Therese’s life bears witness that holiness is not about spectacular deeds but about everyday faithfulness such as patience in family life, care for the poor, fidelity to ordinary duties and the like. This “little greatness” flows from trust in God’s mercy freeing us from anxiety, fear of failure and the need for recognition. I believe ‘Little Flower’s’ trust in God’s mercy and her “little way/greatness” teaches us a radical message which is both liberating and prophetic. In today’s society where success is often measured by power, recognition or achievement, St. Therese speaks with prophetic clarity that every small gesture of love counts, every hidden act of service matters. She reminds us that God delights in little things done with great love. However what God desires is above all our trust, placing our littleness into His merciful hands. This centenary year, then, invites us to rediscover her “little way” like quiet gestures, resisting a culture of competition and achievement and her approach of caring for those on the margins to whom our small acts in service matter hugely. As every year, our annual retreat for the clergy will be held this month in two batches over the course of two weeks. I warmly welcome you all to the cherished time of grace and spiritual renewal. This retreat is a precious gift from God offering us the opportunity for spiritual refreshment amidst the demands of our continuous pastoral ministry. It is truly the apt moment to “come away to a lonely place” (Mk 6:31), to listen to the Lord who called us and to be renewed in our priestly life and ministry. Let us therefore prepare ourselves well so that we may enter into the retreat with openness and make it truly fruitful. May I also ask you to encourage our parishioners to accompany us with their prayers these days!