John de Britto's Missions in India

Early Life and Arrival in India

John de Britto, also known as Arul Anandar, was a Portuguese Jesuit missionary born on March 1, 1647, in Lisbon, Portugal. Coming from an aristocratic family, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1662 and was inspired by St. Francis Xavier to pursue missionary work. In 1673, he arrived in Goa, India, and later moved to the Madurai region in Tamil Nadu, where he began his missionary activities. He was the seventh parish priest in Kamanacikenpatti in 1684.

The Madurai Mission

The Madurai Mission was a significant effort to establish an Indian Catholic Church free from European cultural influence. John de Britto adopted local customs to make Christianity more accessible to the Indian population:

• Cultural Adaptation: He learned Tamil, dressed in yellow cotton like a Tamil Thuravi (ascetic), and lived a simple life, abstaining from meat, fish, eggs, and alcohol, adhering to a vegan diet of legumes, fruits, and herbs.
• Teaching Methods: Following the approach of Roberto de Nobili, Britto taught the Catholic faith using concepts familiar to the local people, which led to significant success in conversions.
• Focus on All Castes: He aimed to convert both higher and lower caste members, recognizing that engaging higher castes was crucial for Christianity's lasting impact in India. He established himself as a Pandara Swami, an ascetic guru, to interact with all societal levels.

Key Activities and Impact

Britto worked primarily in the villages within the Madurai region, preaching, baptizing, and converting many, including Thadiyathevan, a Maravar prince. His efforts led to an estimated 10,000 conversions. His approach included:

• Conducting retreats in the wilderness to attract potential converts.
• Training catechists to support his evangelization efforts.
• Working in areas like Kolei (now Kottagaipatti) and other parts of Tamil Nadu, including the Diocese of Thanjavur.

Challenges and Persecution

His success, particularly the conversion of Thadiyathevan, who had to dismiss all but one of his wives, angered local rulers, including King Raghunatha Kilavan Sethupathi of Ramnad. This led to:

• Imprisonment in 1684: Britto was imprisoned and tortured by the Maravar ruler but was later released.
• Exile to Portugal (1687): He was briefly sent back to Lisbon, where he advocated for the Indian missions and recruited more missionaries.
• Return in 1690: He returned to Tamil Nadu with 24 new missionaries, continuing his work despite ongoing hostility.

Martyrdom

On February 4, 1693, John de Britto was arrested again and executed by beheading in Oriyur, Tamil Nadu, after refusing to abandon his mission. His martyrdom took place in the presence of many Christians, and he reportedly prayed calmly before his execution. The site of his martyrdom, marked by a red sand dune believed to be stained with his blood, is now a significant pilgrimage center, the John de Britto Shrine, recognized by the Tamil Nadu government as a sacred tourist spot.

Legacy

John de Britto’s legacy endures through:

• Catholic Institutions: Several schools and colleges, such as St. Britto High School in Goa, St. John De Britto Anglo-Indian High School in Kochi, and Arul Anandar College in Madurai, are named after him.
• Patronage: He is the patron saint of the Madurai Archdiocese, Sivagangai Diocese, Sakthikulangara Parish, and the Jesuit Madurai Province.
• Canonization: Beatified in 1853 by Pope Pius IX and canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII, his feast day is celebrated on February 4.
• Pilgrimage: The Oriyur shrine, declared a Minor Basilica in 2023, attracts pilgrims, including non-Christians, who seek healing and blessings.