John Peter Savarinayagam

Savarinayagam was ordained as a Catholic priest on 11 December 1969 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Madurai. He did his licentiate in Christian spirituality at the Gregorianum in Rome. He had a thirst for the mystical spirituality of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. He served as a formator, director of the Capuchin candidates, spiritual director, counsellor and confessor. He had a great passion for the Crucified Jesus which moved him often to spend the nights in meditating on the Passion of Jesus before the Blessed Sacrament. He was an obedient and exemplary Capuchin friar. He was moved with compassion for the poor and the suffering. [3]

Savarinayagam was a holy man in his Capuchin simplicity and poverty. He was a courageous man at the time of his severe colon cancer. He made no complaints of his acute pain and of any treatment. He endured everything in great patience and that was specially noticed. Many came to sympathize with him but he used to repeat the words of Paul the Apostle “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1: 21). He died at the age of 38 in peace and serenity. His mortal remains were interred at Amalashram Capuchin Friary, Srirangam, Trichy - 06. People now visit his tomb to pray for various needs. They offer flowers and candles at his tomb. Savarinayagam was declared a Servant of God by the Roman Catholic Church on 3 December 2019. [4] [5]