John de Brito was a 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit missionary who worked extensively in southern India. Born in Lisbon to an aristocratic family, he joined the Society of Jesus and later traveled to the Madurai mission to evangelize the Maravar country. Adopting the local name Arul Anandar, he lived as a sannyasi, following a strict vegan diet and dressing in local attire to better connect with the people. His efforts to adapt Christian teachings to local customs led to significant conversions, eventually resulting in his martyrdom in 1693.
Missionary life
To facilitate his work in India, Britto embraced the lifestyle of a Tamil ascetic. He avoided meat, fish, eggs, and alcohol, sustaining himself only on fruits, herbs, and legumes. By adopting local customs and languages, he sought to establish a Catholic presence that respected indigenous culture. After a period of exile in Portugal, he returned to the Madurai mission in 1690 to lead a group of twenty-four missionaries.
Martyrdom and veneration
His preaching caused political tension when a converted prince was required to dismiss several wives, including a relative of the King of Ramnad. This led to a persecution of Christians, during which Britto was executed in Oriyur. He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947. Today, he is honored at a basilica in Oriyur, where pilgrims of various faiths visit a shrine built at the site of his death.