Thanjavur Diocese Commissions 275 Lay Evangelizers for Mission

VELANKANNI, October 3, 2026: The Diocese of Thanjavur commissioned 275 lay evangelizers during a special Mass at the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni on October 3, marking a significant step towards strengthening lay participation in the Church’s evangelising mission.

The newly commissioned evangelizers, representing around 25 parishes, were formally entrusted with their mission by Bishop T. Sagayaraj of Thanjavur, who presided over the Mass. More than 30 priests concelebrated, including Fr. C. Irudayaraj, rector of the shrine basilica; Fr. J. Augustine, parish priest; shrine priests; vicars foranes and parish priests.

In his homily, Bishop Sagayaraj identified three central elements of the evangelizers’ mission: proclaiming God’s love, witnessing to God’s presence among his people, and making the Gospel visible through their lives.

“God is loving. God is with you. God is always with you,” the bishop said, describing this as the core message the evangelizers are called to share.

Reflecting on Emmanuel—“God is with us”—he urged them to help people recognise that God is not distant but remains present in their lives. He also stressed that evangelisation must extend beyond words.

“If you live as a good Christian, the Gospel will be proclaimed,” Bishop Sagayaraj said, encouraging the evangelizers to remain faithful to Christ amid difficulties and challenges.

The bishop also called on them to help build Christian communities rooted in love, faith, justice and care for others. He cited the early Christian community as an example of believers whose way of life became a powerful witness to the Gospel.

The 275 evangelizers underwent a year-long formation programme conducted on 15 Sundays. Organised by the diocesan Commission for Liturgy and Catechesis under Fr. A. Paulraj, the programme covered various aspects of Christian faith and evangelisation.

The formation was facilitated by the Sacred Heart Brothers, who initiated the lay evangelisation movement in Tamil Nadu, along with lay evangelizers from the neighbouring Diocese of Sivagangai.

Following the homily, the names of the 275 candidates were called. They came forward and responded to the bishop’s questions regarding their readiness to dedicate their time, resources and energy to the mission, face its challenges and undertake the ministry freely for the glory of God.

The commissioning rite included the Litany of the Saints and a declaration of dedication to lay evangelisation, which was first proclaimed by a representative and then repeated by the entire group.

As a visible sign of their commitment, Bishop Sagayaraj presented each evangelizer with a cross and a rosary.

Thanjavur is the second diocese in Tamil Nadu, after Sivagangai, to establish a structured programme for training lay evangelizers. According to Fr. Paulraj, the diocese plans to recruit and train new members every year, with the long-term goal of building a strong lay movement in support of a synodal Church.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the participation of lay Catholics in parish life and enable the Church’s evangelising mission to reach beyond the clergy and religious, particularly through the witness and active engagement of trained lay faithful.