Saint Stephen International College (SSIC) is a private Catholic-oriented Anglo-Saxon institution for General Education.

Holy Mass which is the highest form of prayer in the Catholic Church is celebrated on the school campus every Wednesday and before special occasions. The school equally carries out a mission of evangelization by preparing students who are willing (Catechumens), for Baptism and First Holy Communion. This is a great opportunity for them as many of these children do not have any prospects of receiving these sacraments in the neighborhood where they live. This year there were 42 Catechumens.

While the other students were away for a whole month, the catechumens went on with doctrine classes, music, and human investment activities. It was indeed a very uplifting and spiritually nurturing moment in their lives.

Music forms an integral part of our lives as individuals and our social life. It is a universal language. It is used everywhere and on every occasion. It plays a great role in education. It is therefore right and just that young people should be educated in it as Aristotle points out.

“Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.”

― Aristotle

It is a marvelous thing that Gospel music is becoming very popular. During school hours students also study music. Many of them are talented in various ways such as young Christ who can be seen demonstrating his piano skills. So the catechumens spent a great deal of time learning music.

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety, and life to everything; It is the essence of order and lends to all that is good, just, and beautiful.”

― Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates.

Cleanliness and volunteerism

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, so they also take off some days to clean streets in the neighborhood. It is a tradition in the Catholic Church that catechumens do some human investment during their preparation for Baptism and First Holy Communion.

The Priest and Catechist of the local church, in collaboration with the school management and administration, including some staff members, prepare the catechumens for these sacraments. To God be the glory, great things he has done.