Beacon Awards 2025 in Chennai Honours Individuals for Excellence in Faith and Education

Chennai, 28 February 2025 – The Beacon Awards 2025 celebrated outstanding contributions to faith and education on 22 February in Chennai. Organised by the Archdiocesan Office for Education in collaboration with the Commission for Catechetics and approved by the CMES Executive Committee, this fourth edition recognised students, teachers, and schools for their commitment to holistic faith formation and academic excellence.

This year, 347 individuals were honoured across various categories:

• 221 students from 56 schools received awards for excelling in Catechism and Value Education examinations in 5th, 10th, and 12th standards.
• 4 teachers from CMES schools were recognised with the Best Teacher Award for their dedicated service.
• 80 children from 44 parishes were awarded: 
• 36 students received the Best Outgoing Altar Server Award.
• 44 students, completing their 12th standard, were honoured as Best Outgoing Catechism Students.
• 36 Sunday Catechism teachers, each with a minimum of five years of service, received the Best Catechism Teacher Award.
• Six CMES schools received the Beacon of Success Award for achieving a 100% pass rate.

A key highlight was the certification of 14 newly qualified Catechism teachers, trained through the Christianity Department of the University of Madras and accredited by the Commission for Catechetics.

Distinguished Guests and Special Honourees

The event was graced by the Archbishop, Vicar General, and three Episcopal Vicars.

Among the notable honourees, Mr. T. Christuraj, IAS (Tiruppur), the first Catholic IAS officer from a CMES school, and Rev. Fr. Santhosh Jude, a PhD holder in Aeronautical Engineering from IIT, were recognised in absentia, with their parents accepting the honours on their behalf.

Other outstanding achievers included:

• Ms. C. Maria Akshita (Assisi Parish)—Indian first fencer to compete in Egypt (November 2023), gold medallist at Khelo India, and FCA member.

• Ms. Prathiksha S. (Class XII, Don Bosco Matric HSS, SV Nagar)—State rank holder.

• Ms. Gurushree X. (Don Bosco Matric HS, Madharpakkam)—Archdiocesan topper 2024.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

The Archdiocese sincerely thanked parish priests, catechism coordinators, correspondents, headmasters, and teachers for their dedication to faith formation. Special appreciation was given to the Archbishop for his encouragement. Gratitude was also extended to Sr. Sagayam FMM, Sr. Beula SJC, Mr. Sekar, and the volunteers for their efforts. The Beacon Awards 2025 reaffirmed the Archdiocese’s commitment to shaping future leaders through faith and excellence.

Fr. Ritchie Vincent

Secretary, Commission for Social Communications

Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore