Awakening to Faith
After immersing himself in the Bible, Neelakandan’s mind brimmed with questions. As De Lannoy patiently responded, new inquiries arose, but gradually, Neelakandan found himself listening intently, his curiosity satisfied. Amid his questioning, the harsh realities of his community became vivid to him, and the cries of the oppressed echoed deeply within his heart.
Like a man long deprived of nourishment, he craved more knowledge, absorbing the Gospel eagerly, much like parched earth drinking in water. He became a voice for those without one. Neelakandan shared with De Lannoy his heartfelt desire to convert to Christianity, feeling that both his surroundings and places of worship were cloaked in darkness. Though momentarily taken aback by Marthanda Varma’s anti-conversion law for government officials, De Lannoy warmly embraced Neelakandan.
The Decision to Convert
Inspired by the rational examples of Job and Jesus, Neelakandan vowed to De Lannoy to embrace the Christian faith. De Lannoy entrusted him with a letter addressed to a Jesuit priest at the Neyman Mission, choosing this path despite the presence of Syrian Church and Carmelite clergy in Travancore, as Vadakkankulam was under British influence alongside Madurai at the time.
Neelakandan held De Lannoy’s letter with deep reverence, eager to embrace Christianity. Though hesitant to leave his familiar surroundings, he journeyed to the Vadakkankulam parish house, located about 20 kilometers from Nagercoil.
Encounter with Paranjothi Nathar
John Baptist Buttari, born on February 22, 1707, near Rome, served as the parish priest at Vadakkankulam. Arriving in India in 1739, he initially worked in Neyman, Kochi, before revitalizing Vadakkankulam in 1741. Known as Paranjothi Nathar to honor Tamil culture, he served at the Holy Family Church from 1744 to 1750. The church, built by Arulanandar (John De Britto) in 1685, stood upon a chapel long tended by ‘Santhai Sanaati.’
Upon receiving the letter, Paranjothi Nathar hesitated to baptize Neelakandan immediately. King Marthanda Varma had imposed severe penalties, including imprisonment and execution, for high-ranking court officials converting to Christianity. The Namboodiri Brahmins, intent on preserving the caste system, strongly opposed conversions, influencing the king’s stance. Paranjothi Nathar feared Neelakandan might renounce Christianity under pressure if baptized while still in royal service.
A Firm Resolution
Sensing this hesitation, Neelakandan boldly affirmed his commitment to convert, fully aware of the challenges ahead. He reassured Paranjothi Nathar of his unwavering resolve, astonishing the priest with his courage. Neelakandan studied the profound writings of Veeramamunivar, also known as Beschi Adigalar, and underwent rigorous tests to confirm his steadfast faith, as firm as a nail driven into a tree. This took place while Marthanda Varma was engaged in battle at Kayankulam.
Baptism and New Identity
On May 14, 1745, at the age of thirty-three, Neelakandan experienced the transformative miracle of embracing Christianity. Baptized as Devasahayam, meaning “God’s help,” his godfather was Gnanaprakasham, the sacristan (Upadesiyar). He also received teachings from a man in Pattapuram. Adopting the Tamil name Devasahayam reflected the Indianization of Catholicism, blending Christian faith with Indian cultural traditions.
A Life of Discipleship
Paranjothi Nathar guided Devasahayam, emphasizing that being a Christian meant living by Christ’s principles of honesty and resistance to injustice. Christ’s life centered on aiding the afflicted, oppressed, and impoverished, and His command was to love others as oneself—a principle Paranjothi Nathar urged Devasahayam to embody.
“I am ready to endure crucifixion like Jesus willingly,” Devasahayam declared. “All that I have—my possessions, comforts, friends, and family—I am prepared to dedicate to God.”
Growing in Faith
Following his baptism, Devasahayam diligently studied numerous Christian texts, openly embracing his identity as a Christian without fear. He connected with fellow Christians, shared meals with them, and, when asked, generously shared the knowledge he had gained. He frequently visited churches, including the Vadakkankulam Paralogamatha Church, Kottar St. Francis Xavier’s Church, and the church within Udayagiri Fort, where he participated in Mass. Father Thommaso De Fonseca, the parish priest of Kottar, heard his confession and administered his first Holy Communion. Under the guidance of Father Perririse from Padmanabhapuram, who knew him well, Devasahayam continued to deepen his faith.
Witnessing to the Faith
After his baptism, Devasahayam returned to Udayagiri Fort to resume his duties. He shared the joy of his newfound faith with his colleagues and began actively supporting and dining with the impoverished and marginalized. Like John the Baptist, he exposed fraud, denounced the immorality of those in power, and worked to guide others toward Christianity, starting within his own household.
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