CHENNAI, November 25, 2025: Deepagam, the Don Bosco Catechetical Centre for Faith formation and Value Education, a pastoral department of the Chennai Province (INM) organized a one day catechetical celebration at schools in each region (Tirupattur, Chennai, Vellore, and Pondicherry) during the months of October and November 2025.

Regional Maraikalvi Naal 2025 or ‘Catechism Day,’ is to evangelize the young people through artistic performance, enabling them to learn, internalize, and proclaim the Gospel using their talents in singing and dancing and Bible quizzes. The program motto is Oliyaai Irungal – “Be the Light".

In a world where cinema songs dominate the imagination of young people, the Church has the responsibility to form hearts that are inspired by Gospel values. Through creative expression -singing and dancing - we can help children and youth memorize, perform, and live the Good News.

Deepagam's initiative channels this creative energy toward Gospel proclamation, turning stages into pulpits, performers into apostles, and competitions into catechism in action. The rationale behind the activity is to form young apostles who proclaim Gospel values through their God-given talents. These competitions give children and youth the chance to perform songs rooted in Scripture, helping them internalize and live the Good News.

The Objectives of the Maraikalvi Naal:

1) Promote Gospel-based songs as a joyful catechetical tool.

2) Foster faith, values, and moral growth through music and movement.

3) Create platforms for youth to showcase their faith-inspired creativity.

4) Strengthen collaboration between schools and parishes for catechetical renewal.

5) Use the best performances as preparatory showcases for the Pilgrim Congress 2026.

The Expected Outcomes:

Deepagam, the Don Bosco Catechetical Centre (INM), brought a vibrant celebration of faith to Don Bosco Schools during the months of October-November, 2025, as schools from each region gathered for the annual Catechism Day, locally known as Maraikalvi Naal.

The daylong Faith Fiesta combined gospel music, scripture knowledge, and creative performances to deepen Gospel values among students from primary through higher secondary levels. The morning’s Faith Fiesta featured a Bible Quiz based on the Life of Christ and newly introduced Gospel Singing and Dance contests that invited pupils to share their faith through music and movement.

The one-day program drew a total of 1,850 students from all the Don Bosco Schools in Chennai Province, either as participants or audiences.

Laughter, applause and songs filled the hall at hosting schools as schoolchildren gathered for Deepagam’s annual Catechism Day, a celebration that blends scripture study with creative expression. The celebration emphasised both communal joy and catechetical formation, bringing scripture, song and art together to strengthen faith education and nurture Gospel values in the region’s schools.

Teachers and organisers said “the event was designed to strengthen faith education and build community” across Don Bosco schools in the Chennai Province. In all the regional-levels, there were positive responses and enthusiasm from the School children.

Maraikalvi Naal will be celebrated for Sunday Catechism Children and youth in the parishes. It will culminate in Province-level ‘Deepagam Day’.