KILPAUK, CHENNAI - February 06, 2025: PACE-PAVE 2024-2025 (Professional Approach to Christian Education/Value Education program) concluded with twenty-four Religion and Value Education Teachers belonging to Chennai Salesian Province (INM) Schools certified as “Faith Formators” for Salesian institutions in Chennai at DBICA hall.

The Valediction ceremony was officiated by Rev. Fr. Jayapalan Raphael SDB (Rector, SIGA). In his keynote address for the day, Fr. Jayapalan highlights thus: 

“Jesus didn’t speak of religion as founder of Christianity. His preaching was centred on love (of God and others as oneself). The work and life of Jesus was centred on God. Mathew 10:8 points to the reality and need to be God-centred and other-centred person, as well. Concretely, gifts of talent must be received freely and given freely. Forgiveness is basic for all relationships; in which, mutual love and daily forgiveness is a must. In the context of family catechesis, “while whole body is complex”, Fr. Jayapalan said, “Every person is holy”.

He queried the catechism teachers: “How we impart Gospel values in Catholic schools?” As an example, Fr. Jayapalan took up Tamil Nadu’s “Little Francis Xavier” – St John de Britto. By screening… 

St John de Britto’s Life and Mission (from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4JnfD7jtGM | புனித அருளானந்தரின் வரலாறு | St. John De Britto History | ஓரியுரின் ஒளி விளக்கு |)…

He said we must be a model catechist in the spirit of inculturation with love for Christ. Which means, we must be convinced of Jesus, his values and commitments. St John Britto had thirst for martyrdom. It is exemplified in three types of giving: உள்ளதை கொடுப்பது (‘giving what one has’) is sympathy. உள்ளதை உள்ளத்தோடு கொடுப்பது (‘giving what one has with thoughtfulness’) is empathy and உயிரை கொடுப்பது (giving one’s life / entire self) is entirepathy. He concluded his session with the key message to the new faith formators for Salesian school children: “God must be the centre of our life”. 

The morning session of the valediction ended with playback song by Chris Rice‘s "Go light your world". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X5nwT50M-M&t=30s

In the afternoon, Rev. Fr. Ratchagadass SDB engaged the Catholic teachers with biblical catechesis. He introduced PACE/PAVE teachers to read, reflect and act on Word of God through animations and group dynamics based on scriptural quotes.

The culmination of the day was certification. All PACE/PAVE teachers present for the valediction (twenty-four out of thirty) were certified as ‘Salesian Faith Formators’ (hence, ‘Salesian Collaborators’ in the apostolate) for schools in Chennai Province.

As is the custom, everyone having taken part in PACE/PAVE program joined in the simple agape and an informal get-together led by Fr. Ratchagadass. As Deepagam is undergoing renovation, DBICA hall was chosen as venue for hosting this certification program.