Igniting Minds To Transform The Society

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As Blessed Chavara, being inspired by the person of Jesus Christ, lived for others and dedicated all resources that he could pool for the common good of the people, every Christian faithful and institution should aim at being and becoming a presence that would enhance the life of others. The vocation of a Christian would be realized only when one's life becomes life-giving in every sense.

Persons who are remembered and whose memory is perpetuated by the subsequent generations are those who live for others. They are those who dedicate themselves for the cause of others in such a way that there is no room for their selfish ends; for them, life is a continuous saga of selfless giving, a giving that enhances the lives of others. It is in empowering others that they find the purpose of their lives realized. Jesus Christ and many others whom we remember and whose lives and teachings are perpetuated are solely based on their excellent life of "self-less self-giving."

The Indian Christianity also has a number of such personalities whose dedication and hard work have not only given shape to the organized church structures, but have created a new culture of Christian self-giving. In spite of all the odds, they could make an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of the people only because of their readiness to let go their comforts and, focused on the future of the community, they could work incessantly for the welfare of the society at large. Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Catholic priest from Kerala, who was instrumental in initiating a number of innovative practices to empower the people and to set right the misconceptions of social structures and religious perceptions, is well known for his ground-breaking involvement in the educational ministry of the Catholic Church in India. His lasting legacy and innovative vision are perpetuated through the members of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) and their numerous institutions spread across India. While the world vision offered by Jesus Christ remains the foundation for all Christian missions, the methods adopted and the thrusts given by Blessed Chavara have become the inspiration for all the missions undertaken by the CMI members and their institutions.

The mission undertaken by these institutions would be successful in making an indelible mark in the consciousness of the people when, following the example of Jesus Christ and the innovative methods of Blessed Chavara, they begin to exist completely for those members of the society whom they reach out through various institutions and activities. As institutions become stronger and better established, we run the risk of losing sight of the original vision and thrust so as to slip into more of self-centred interests. If a Christian — be it an individual or an institution — begins to function for the sake of self-interest or begins to exist for oneself, it is the beginning of losing one's Christianness. For, when a Christian ceases to exist for others, he or she would cease to be a Christian!

Therefore, it is necessary that all those who follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ and abide by the methods of mission adopted by Blessed Chavara continue to live for others at any cost. Yet, given the human frailties, it is natural that human beings sometimes lose focus on the original inspirations and visions. In such a context, it becomes essential for us to design ways and means to keep us close to the elements of the vision and inspiration that ultimately shaped the life and mission of inspiring visionaries like Blessed Chavara. Hence, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram has started a new Centre for Chavara Studies and Research to celebrate and perpetuate the vision of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara. This noble venture, I hope, would create opportunities for the staff and students of DVK and the members of the CMI Congregation and the larger Indian Church to seriously engage with the person, vision, and contributions of Blessed Chavara. A creative engagement with such a noble visionary would pave the way not for understanding his vision and mission, but also to imbibe and perpetuate the same in the time and place where all of us are placed.

As Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram is engaged in forming future missionaries and priests for the Church and in equipping already ordained ministers with deeper and specialised knowledge about realities such as God, human, and the world, including all creations, it is my ardent hope and desire that everyone would be inspired by the life and example of Blessed Chavara in preparing themselves for a proper 'Christian' mission in today's world. Given the thrusts of today world dynamics, most of which are guided by self-centred interests, this mission of DVK is a challenging one. Yet, as DVK has taken upon herself the fundamental mission of perpetuating the life vision of Jesus Christ through its academic and non-academic programmes, she cannot shy away from this basic responsibility. Therefore, it is hoped that the Centre for Chavara Studies and Research would enlighten all the members of DVK and those who come in touch with her to imbibe the spirit that moved Blessed Chavara in his life's mission and Christian commitment.

One of the best means of empowering others, especially the young generation is through different modes of education. Following the footsteps of Blessed Chavara, we have a great responsibility to offer a method of education that would enhance the life of the individual who partakes in the process of education, whereby he or she would also be equipped to become an instrument of enhancing life for others. If our educational institutions and programmes become centres of empowering others, including the downtrodden and the marginalized, opening up the horizons of growth and success to everyone, then, they would really become centres of Christian education.

As Blessed Chavara, being inspired by the person of Jesus Christ, lived for others and dedicated all resources that he could pool for the common good of the people, every Christian faithful and institution should aim at being and becoming a presence that would enhance the life of others. The vocation of a Christian would be realized only when one's life becomes life-giving in every sense.

**Contents and Sample Pages**