Contextual Ministries
Fieldwork is an integral part of the Vidyajyoti curriculum. Every student is required to opt for and be committed to some form of fieldwork since the faculty considers guided socio-pastoral involvement as an essential dimension of doing contextual theology. Each student is put into direct contact with a specific community, especially the marginalized ones to gain direct experience of the negativities of life and the suffering of the poor. This context then becomes a locus theologicus — a site for a deepening reflection on the Christian faith and other faiths, as well.
The following are the fieldwork areas wherein the students are involved:
- Prison Ministry
- Hospital Ministry
- Slum Ministry
- Neighbourhood Ministry
- Tribal Ministry
- Parish Ministry
- Railway Platform Ministry
- Small Christian Communities (SCC)
- AICUF (All India Catholic University Federation)
- Asha Ki Kiran
- NECOD (North East Catholics of Delhi)
Apart from these regular ministries, orientation programs and spiritual guidance in various schools and parishes are also conducted in and around Delhi for teachers, students and youth. Students are also involved in SAMAG (Social and Media Action Group) that creates awareness among the students of Vidyajyoti on issues of injustice, violation of human rights, exploitation of women, decisions that affect the Dalits, tribals and children. SAMAG also takes initiative to organize and collaborate with other NGOs and agencies fighting for the rights of the oppressed and marginalized in the form of dharna and protests.
Regular pastoral reflection sessions in the College are intended to integrate theology with the experience of the students in their fieldwork and vice-versa. In this way, the students are trained to cultivate a deeply human and Christian perspective of life that calls for committed responds to the signs of the times.