Robancy A Helen –
Trichy: Constantine Joseph Beschi (1680-1747), the Italian Jesuit missionary, who preached the Gospel in the Tamil soil for 36 years, was solemnly declared as ‘the Servant of God’ on 3 August 2025 in the Immaculate Conception Church, Pondicherry.
Obtaining the Nihil Obstat (“Nothing Obstructs”) from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Francis Kalist, Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, during the concelebration with 170 Jesuits and the clergy of the archdiocese, inaugurated the process of Beschi’s beatification and canonization.
The prayerful procession was flagged off with Fr. Jebamalai Raja’s introductory prayer from the Archbishop’s House toward Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral, with the banners portraying Beschi’s significant contributions to his mission.
The statues of Periya Nayagi Madha (Mary Major), the Konankuppam shrine from the Pondicherry–Cuddalore Archdiocese, and Adaikala Madha of the Elakurichi shrine mission from the Kumbakonam diocese; the replica of the wooden sandals of the Pandara Swamy Beschi; and the copy of Tempavani, his major epic, carried in the procession evoked memories of his lasting impacts in the mission field.
Fr. Pascual Cebollada SJ is the postulator for the cause of the Servant of God Constantine Joseph Beschi SJ, and Fr. Maria Arul Raja SJ, Fr. Michael Pugazhenthi SJ, and Sr. Sailaja Akkinapalli, a member of Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Pondicherry are the co-postulators .
The archbishop appointed a judiciary consisting of Fr. Swaminathan, Fr. Joseph Agarwala, and Fr. Jeyanth Rayan. A historical commission consisting of Fr. Arockiasamy Xavier SJ, Fr. Nithiya Sagayam OFM Cap, Fr. William Lourduraj, Fr. Joseph Anthonisamy, and Fr. Devasagayaraj M. Zackarias was created by the archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore.
The vice-postulators, the members of the Tribunal, and the Historical Commission made their oath of secrecy and faithfulness publicly, while the theological censors took it privately. Fr. A. Melchizedech, the Chancellor of Pondicherry-Cuddalore Archdiocese, received the oaths.
The prayer card with the prayer for the beatification of Beschi was distributed and was recommended to be recited daily. One of the Vice-Postulators for the Cause, Fr. Maria Arul Raja’s book on the Servant of God, ‘Veeramamunivarin Arulvazhvum Thirupaniyum,’ was released by the archbishop on the occasion.
It was indeed a profound faith experience to join the whole congregation devotedly reciting in one voice the special prayer for the beatification of Beschi, said Father Maria Arul Raja, one of the co-postulators of the cause.
The Chennai Jesuit Province was delighted to host the sumptuous agape meal for more than 1000 lay leaders, the religious, and the clergy hailing from across Tamil Nadu.
At the end of the mass, the archbishop released the new book entitled “Veeramaamunivar: Arul Vaazhvum Thiru Paniyum,” reflecting on Beschi’s revered holiness and sacred mission.
Jesuit provincial, Fr. Britto Vincent, blessed the event with his grand finale of deep sentiments of gratitude.