Ongoing formation for Educators to the faith

Catechizing Religious

Church calls those in consecrated life to catechetical activity and wishes that religious communities dedicate as much as possible of what ability and means that they have to the specific work of catechesis. This original contribution is born of public witness to their consecration, which makes them a living sign of the reality of the Kingdom: it is the profession of evangelical counsels, within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church that characterizes the life consecrated to God. The witness of religious united to the witness of the laity shows forth the one face of the Church which is a sign of the Kingdom of God. (General Directory for Catechesis, 1997, No. 228)

 

Many religious institutes for men and women came into being for the purpose of giving Christian education to children and young people, especially the most abandoned. That same charism of the founders is such that many religious collaborate today in diocesan adult catechesis. Throughout history many men and women religious have been committed to the Church's catechetical activity. (General Directory for Catechesis, 1997, No. 229)

 

Deepagam offers Catechetical Formation Programs for Catechists, Novices, Junior Sisters and Sisters preparing for the final vows and students of theology and philosophy. Seminars and retreats for men and women of consecrated life strengthens faith and buildup as person for Christ in the ongoing formation process. Religious as teachers of Catechism receive an intensive and in-depth training in content and in new methods of teaching catechism and nurture missionary vocations. Moreover, Deepagam catechizes men and women of consecrated life including clergy with training packages namely PACE and PAVE designed for catechizing the Faith and Moral Formation teachers.

 

Evangelization and catechetical ministry by religious are guided by:

1. The spread of devotion to Mary, Mother of God
2. The desire to cultivate local vocations
3. The faithfulness to community rules and traditions
4. The preservation of the family spirit of the founder
5. Their pastoral zeal
6. Their compassionate love for the poor
7. Their spirit of detachment and selfless service to the poorest of the poor
8. Their dedicated service for the social upliftment to the marginalized

 

Source: K.V. Sebastian SDB, Fr. Joy Kurian SDB and Fr. Clement SDB, A Report of the Evangelization and Catechetical Work.