An unique initiative of the centre is the coordination of the formation of laity as evangelizers. It is undertaken in the name and on behalf of the Diocese of Sivagangai and in collaboration with other religious congregations. As on today there are 487 trained voluntary lay evangelists in the Diocese of Sivagangai grouped into 17 zones.

THE ORIGIN

The birth of this lay movement dates back to the year 1976. AMBROSE and JESU, teachers by profession, hailing from a rural Parish Thiruvarangam in the Diocese of Sivagangai experienced the liberating power of the Word of God sowed the seed for ‘Penance Movement’ with the approval and guidance of Parish Priest. They came together in the evenings to read and meditate the Word of God. They visited families in difficulties and animated them to experience deliverance with the power of the Word of God.  During Lenten season they wore saffron clothes and practiced penance. As years passed by a good number of laity voluntarily joined the movement.

That was the time when the Brothers of the Sacred Heart established Arulchandru Nilayam at Paramakudi and in the light and precepts of Second Vatican Council they actively engaged in ministries towards empowering laity. Brothers identified interested laity in and around Paramakudi and facilitated them to be empowered spiritually and pastorally through regular trainings, seminars, retreats and exposures. The trained laity were given opportunities to preach the Word of God, visit families, organize faith camps in villages, conduct conventions etc.

Seeing the zeal the ‘penance movement’ was brought to the care and guidance of the Brothers at Arulchandru Nilayam and they nurtured the movement to bear fruit, thanks for the passionate accompaniment of Bro A. Robin SHJ., and Fr. Alphonsenathan.

The new diocese of Sivagangai was bifurcated from Madurai Archdiocese and was erected      on 25th July 1987 by Pope John Paul II. Most Rev. Edward Francis was appointed as the first Bishop. Noticing the dynamism of the laity the new Bishop permitted to expand the movement to entire diocese. Thus the Sivagangai Diocesan Lay Evangelizers movement came into existence and was entrusted to the facilitation of the Commission for Proclamation of the diocese.

SELECTION AND TRAINING

The lay evangelizers identify faithful and interested Catholic women and men. The identified personnel are put under scrutiny on the basis of family and moral standing. Thus the selected are admitted into a yearlong training program organized in 12 phases. Well structured and defined syllabus modules are used for the training which is facilitated by senior and experienced lay evangelizers. After completion of the training, they make a retreat to discern and decide their special vocation as lay evangelizers. Having gone through the process they make a solemn vow to the Bishop during the Eucharistic Celebration.

FIVE BASIC DUTIES OF LAY EVANGELISTS

• To attend the weekly rejuvenation prayer fellowship at the zonal or area level
• To attend zonal meetings organized once in two months
• To attend advent and Lenten preparatory retreats
• To attend field camp trainings and other trainings organized by the Commission for Proclamation
• To engage in ministry at least 7 days  a year

ACTIVITIES OF LAY EVANGELIZERS

• To do faith based ministries wherever and whenever they are sent by the Commission
• To propagate Catholic faith
• To undertake special parish ministry when they are invited
• To involve in Lenten village ministry every year
• To organize faith camps in villages
• To visit families and strengthen faith
• To conduct bible sharing sessions, conventions, seminars, trainings retreats, prayer sessions, healing sessions etc.
• To settle disputes in villages and families
• To involve in pastoral activities of the parish and prepare the faithful for meaningful celebration of liturgy
• To guide and strengthen Catholic sodalities
• To prepare catechumens
• To help Catholics to get rid of social evils and superstitions
• To share the Word of God through relevant ways and means and distribute Bibles
• To teach Catechism and expose children into Catholic traditions
• To initiate and form laity as disciples and lay evangelizers
• To publish conventional and media resources on Word of God and Catholic faith
• To engage in personal and group prayer sessions for various intentions of the Church and the Society