Senior CLC Tours the Holy Places of St. Devasahayam Pillai/Kanyakumari

On the evening of 25th June, 54 members of Senior CLC Derebail along with a few parishioners departed from Mangalore Railway Station on a pilgrimage to the holy places associated with St. Devasahayam Pillai in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.

The members reached Trivandrum on 26th morning at around 8.30 a.m., where a bus was arranged for their pilgrimage visits. The first destination was Nattalam, the birthplace and residence of St. Devasahayam Pillai. The ancestral house has now been converted into a museum, preserving the memories and history of the saint.

From there, the visit continued to Muttidichan Parai, the place where St. Devasahayam Pillai was tied to a rock during his persecution. It is believed that water gushed out from the rock to quench his thirst. The name “Muttidichan Parai” means “the rock where the elbow struck.”

The pilgrimage then continued to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral at Kottar. The church, built by St. Francis Xavier, is an important centre of faith and devotion in the region.

The next stop was Kanyakumari, where the stay was arranged at Triveni Tourist Home. The beauty of witnessing both the sunset and sunrise from the same place — one of the unique attractions of Kanyakumari- made the members feel blessed. From there, one could also see the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. This was followed by a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and the members spent time in prayer.

The following morning, the members started early to visit the Mount of St. Devasahayam Pillai, the place where he attained martyrdom. The place was serene and spiritually uplifting. They also saw the Tear Rock and Bell Rock located there. The highlight of the visit was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the holy mount.

Afterwards, the members visited the historic Padmanabhapuram Palace, considered one of the oldest surviving wooden palaces in India. St. Devasahayam Pillai had served as a minister in this palace. The architecture, wooden interiors, and tiled roofing reflected the rich heritage and craftsmanship of the past.

The Asst. Parish priest Fr. Steevan Nelson Peres accompanied members, offered Holy Mass and adoration there in church.

Before returning home, the group visited Lulu Mall in Trivandrum for shopping and recreation. Everyone enjoyed spending time together at one of India’s largest shopping malls.

Finally, the members returned to Trivandrum Railway Station and boarded the train back to Mangalore. The pilgrimage was a spiritually enriching experience for all the participants. Everyone returned home with abundant blessings, cherished memories, and a deeper inspiration from the life and faith of St. Devasahayam Pillai.

Report by: Ullas Dcosta