SAINT LOUIS COLLEGE-CEBU
134 M.D Echavez St.,Sudlon,Maguikay, Mandaue City
(Servant Leaders for Mission)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 3
Growing as a Missionary Church
FIRST SEMESTER - MIDTERM
WEEK 3 – MODULE NO. 3
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
INTRODUCTION
Religious Education is an integral dimension of the Church’s evangelizing mission.
Evangelization is the total mission of the Church in bringing the Good News into all strata of
humanity, transforming it from within and making it new. Its foundation, center, and summit are
the clear proclamation that in Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, who died and rose from
the dead, salvation is offered to all as a gift of God’s grace and mercy.
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
1. Know the nature and importance of Religious Education.
2. Prayerful reflection and discussion that the students will come to a better understanding
and appreciation of their faith in God.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module, the learners are expected to:
1. know the nature and importance of Religious Education;
2. prayerfully reflect in order to have a better understanding and appreciation of faith in God;
3. align one’s vision and mission in life to the CICM Province Vision and Mission of
Education; and
4. give their lives in proclaiming the gospel to the people, just like with the CICM missionaries.
“Concept Presentation”
Mt. 28:19-20
[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. "
Source: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=citation&book=Matthew&chapno
=28&startverse=19&endverse=20#:~:text=Matt.,%22
These are the words of Jesus to His disciples before He left them. He gave them the power to
preach and to teach; a task and mission that they accepted and which was handed on to the
whole Church, from generation to generation. Today, the Church continues to faithfully fulfill
this mandate which she has received from her founder, through diverse ministries and
apostolates. One of these ministries is Religious Education in a school setting.
Nature and Aim of Religious Education
Religious Education is an integral dimension on the Church’s evangelizing mission.
Evangelization is “the total mission of the Church in bringing the Good News into all strata of
humanity, transforming it from within and making it new. Its foundation, center and summit is
the clear proclamation that in Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, who died and rose from
the dead, salvation is offered to all as a gift of God’s grace and mercy” (EN 18-27). The Church
experiences this gift of salvation when through God’s gift of faith, she entrusts her whole self
freely to God (DV 5).
Religious Education is a form of Christian education. According to the Vatican II document,
Gravissimum Educationis (GE): “Christian Education has its principal purpose this goal: that
the baptized, while they are gradually introduced into the knowledge of the mystery of
salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of faith they have received, and that they learn
in addition how to worship God the Father in Spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23) especially in liturgical
action, and be conformed in their personal lives according to the new man created in justice
and holiness of truth (Eph. 4:22-24); also that they develop into perfect manhood, to the mature
measure of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13) and strive for the growth of the mystical Body;
moreover, that aware of their calling, they learn not only how to bear witness to the hope that
is in them (Pt. 3:15) but also how to help in the Christian formation of the world that takes place
when natural powers viewed in full consideration of man redeemed by Christ contribute to the
good of the whole society (GE, 2).
Religious Education is an essential process for the Integral Christian formation of Jesus’
disciples today. How is this goal achieved?
Ian knox (2003) identifies three levels by which Religious Education has to take place:
➢ Information- involves imparting basic information about the Christian/Catholic faith,
which includes “statements and explanations of doctrine and official teaching, creeds
of belief (e.g., the Apostles’ Creed), moral values (e.g., Ten Commandments), historical
information (e.g., Bible history, history and structure of the Church), Scripture,
sacraments, liturgical celebrations.” It is very important that we come to know and
understand our faith so as to live according to this faith. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church (CCC) declares: “Faith seeks understanding: it is intrinsic to faith that a believer
desires to know better the One in whom he has put his faith and to understand better
what He has revealed; a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth greater
faith… In the words of St. Augustine, ‘I believe, in order to understand; and I
understand, the better to believe” (CCC 158).
➢ Formation- “it is the level of affect, or emotion, or value” (Knox, 2003). On this level
the believers feel deeply that what they know about faith “has personal value for themthat it is relevant to their present and future situation and experience…, something that
adds meaning to their life” (Knox 2003). This formation aspect of Religious Education
corresponds to the trusting and doing aspects of faith, which involve the heart and
hands.
➢ Transformation- it is the level of the personal contact with Jesus that leads to
conversion. On this level, believers “develop and renew their faith to make a personal
commitment to Jesus, a commitment that involves knowledge and gut-level emotion, a
commitment that makes Jesus Christ become real and present to every aspect of life
and fills that life with meaning” (Knox, 2003).
Five specific goals of Catechesis and/or Religious Education according to the National
Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP):
1. The understanding of the truths of the Catholic faith, drawn directly from the basic
sources of faith- the Holy Scriptures, Tradition and Magisterium;
2. The education in the basic principles and practice of Christian morality- the actual
concrete way in which Filipino Catholics are called to freely relate to God, to others,
and to themselves;
3. The instruction on Catholics on how to pray and participate actively in the Church’s
Liturgy;
4. The development of a sense of belonging and committed service as active members
in the Church community; and
5. The incarnation of the Christian faith in attitudes and values of daily life, and at the
same time the interpretation of daily life in the light of the Gospel (NCDP 124-131).
The CICM-RP Province’s Vision and Mission of Education and the CICM in the
Philippines: The Pioneers
-Catechesis or Religious Education is an essential part of the CICM missionary activity. Fr.
Jan Val Bauwel, CICM, wrote that Catechesis, “was and remains to be an important concern
of all CICM missionaries in the Phils., since their first arrival on November 2, 1907.”
-Bishop Constant Jurgens, one of the first nine CICM missionaries in the country, wrote
Katecismo ti Doctrina Kristiana which was published in 1916 by the Catholic Mission Press, a
printing press put up by the CICM.
-In Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, CICM missionaries trained many catechists who helped in the
Christianization of the Cordillera provinces.
-In Manila, Fr. Joseph Tahon, CICM, wrote the First Instruction of Children and Beginners
(Sheed and Ward, 1930).
-In Bauko, Mountain province, Fr. Gaston Declercq, CICM wrote a pre-war textbook for the
training of catechists.
Inspired by the historical commitment and dedication to provide Catholic education, the CICM
Philippine Province espouses a vision for its educational institutions. It envisions an integral
human formation of the youth who will become mature Christians and active members of the
Church. This integral human formation is directed towards a Christian development of
knowledge, skills and attitudes, which are geared towards service in Church and society by
witnessing to the values of God’s kingdom.
Inspired and compelled by the attitude of Jesus, CICM educational institutions give special
attention to the oppressed, the dis advantaged and the handicapped.
Towards the realization of this vision, the CICM-RP Province has the following general
educational objectives:
1. To form an educational community of administrators, faculty, students, personnel, and
parents who are conscious that their knowledge, skills, and attitudes should be signs
of the Kingdom and that by this fact they realize their highest human dignity.
2. To give the educational community an adequate exposure to the Catholic Catholics to
grow to maturity in faith, and to be inviting and open to non-Catholics and nonChristians though sound ecumenism and mutual respect.
3. To animate the lay people in our institutions through the Church and CICM the vision
of education, promoting the teaching of profession in whatever field, as a special
charismatic service to God’s people.
4. To reflect continually, in the light of Catholic faith, upon the growing treasures of human
knowledge and to transmit it through teaching, research, and various services to our
communities.
5. To be committed to the service of the people of God and human society in general: to
study contemporary problems such as the dignity of human life, promotion of justice
and peace, and a just sharing in the world’s resources.
6. To look for ways and means to give the same chances to the children of as many
disadvantaged families as possible.
7. To serve as a dynamic base for the CICM Institute by which it creates awareness for
the missionary task of the universal Church and engages in vocation animation.
8. To cooperate with the local Church, striving for a common vision, while respecting its
authority and that of the CICM orientation.
9. To integrate and promote the life-giving aspect of the cultural and moral values of the
people.
10. To strive in providing society academic excellence of international standards that
radiates the Christian life through relevant Religious Education which is an integral
component of the missionary activity of Catholic educational institutions and for which
CICM schools were originally founded.
Four Components of Christian Formation:
a. Prayer and Liturgy
b. Religious Education
c. Social Involvement
d. Vocation-Mission Animation
CICM Missionaries: Where the Gospel values are not loved, the Marginalized are abandoned,
the Culture is not respected, and Justice is not promoted… the CICM dares to go!
Source: Bulatao, Romano et al. Growing as a Missionary Church: CICM Phils.: CICM Publishing
House, 2013.
The CICM Pioneers in the Philippines
(November 2, 1907)
1. Reverend Father Pieter Dierickx, CICM (1862-1946)
-man of peace
-appointed by the CICM General. Goverment as the SUPERIOR of the new mission in
the Philippines
-Most senior among the first batch
-Spent 10 years as a missionary in China
-He became the director of Novices in Scheut
2. Reverend Father Florimond Carlu, CICM (1875-1950)
-he taught as a professor in a college for several years.
-Served a s a parish priest
-Originally a member of the Cervantes Group
-Left the City of Spines
-He came to Baguio City for TAGUDIN
-PROVIDING HEALTH CARE SERVICES
-known as SAN ROQUE OF THE PHILIPPINES"
-founder of the "Twin-Brother Cathedral
-St. Patrick Choir
3. Brother Christian Hulsbosch, CICM (1877-1950)
-the ONLY LAY BROTHER of the group
-spent 43 years of working in the Philippines
-Accompanied the PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
-Became a procurator
4. Reverend Father Contant Jurgens, CICM (1879-1952)
-only DUTCHMAN among the pioneers
-Manufacturing of margarine and other products
-Bishop of Tuguegarao
-"Katekismo to Doctrina Kristiana"
-constructed a dorm for boys
-St. Mary's University
-Fr. Sepulcher
-Silk worn Industry
5. Reverend Father Jules Sepulcher, CICM (1880-1912)
-Founded Mission Station in Bauko, Mountain Province
-"Ft. Jurgens and Fr. Sepulcher "fitted together like two mussel shells."
-died from fever
-He built a temple for God and a "Sepulcher" for himself"
6. Reverend Father Albert Dereume, CICM (1881-1953)
-Lived his MISSIONARY ZEAL
-founded VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
-"Everything for Everyone" Motto
7. Reverend Father Oktaaf Vandewalle, CICM (1879-1968)
-Professor of Philosophy
-Parish priest in all northern luzon
-director of college in cavite
-SUPERIOR PROCUATOR
-"Bayombong Farmer's Association"
-"Belgian Farmer's League"
8. Reverend Father Henri Verbeeck, CICM (1879-1938)
-became first parish priest also known today as "San Jose Parish"
-Started CICM mission in La Trinidad, Benguet.
9. Reverend Father Seraphin Devesse, CICM (1883-1945)
-Youngest among the Pioneers
-Built then first Catholic Church "St. Patrick Church", Baguio
-Founder of St. Louis University
*SANTIAGO ISABELLA: place where he was executed
-recognized as "a great figure"
-honored him as an "Imbambang"
Sources: Bulatao, Romano et al. Growing as a Missionary Church: CICM Phils.: CICM
Publishing House, 2013.
https://quizlet.com/219726412/the-9-pioneers-flash-cards/