St Arul Anandar (St John de Britto), is the Patron of our college. Born in Lisbon in 1647 in a wealthy and aristocratic family and brought up in a rich and royal atmosphere, he became a Jesuit and volunteered to come to India in September 1673. He is one of the many Jesuit Missionaries who worked in the Madurai Mission, India. Brilliant and young Britto was offered a professorial chair at a college in Goa but he preferred to come to Madurai and work in the interior villages. Between 1675 and 1687 he dressed himself as an Indian sannyasi (Pandaraswamy). He was known as Arulanandarsamy, eating only vegetarian food on plantain leaf, and squatting on the floor for study and teaching. He entered the kingdom of the Maravas, the present Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts and began his work there. Great opposition, resistance and persecution were his rewards, which he faced with a gentle smile. He had the courage to condemn the wrong doings of both the mighty and the lowly. The conversion of Prince Thadiya Thevar incensed his enemies to persecute him and he was beheaded at Oriyur on February 4, 1693. His very name ‘Arul Anandar’ means one who is filled with the grace and joy of the Lord which he manifested by his service to humanity and perseverance in suffering. He continues to inspire all through his dedication, devotion and determination, exhibiting grace and joy