The history of the National Social Catechetical Training Centre, Jessore, began in the year 1937.

Short history
The history of the National Training Centre, began in the year 1937, as we found from the records of the Salesians (Krishnagar). ’ÄúA permanent School for the New Catechists’Äù was then opened in Jessore. The Xaverian Congregation was asked to work in the Jessore-Khulna area on January 3, 1952. Since 1953, Msgr. Battaglierin, s.x., used to gather the Catechists for refresher courses and retreats, mainly at Jessore.

In 1964, Fr. Marino Rigon, s.x. became the Director of the Diocesan Training Centre, Jessore. Fr. Marino Rigon graduated from the Antigonish University (1964), with a ’ÄòDiploma in Social Leadership’Äô. The courses organized by Fr. Marino Rigon, s.x., were aiming for both religious and social formation of the Catechists and Leaders. There were also courses for Co-operative Leaders. He considered the Catechist, as a leader of the village, for both Christians, and in the social work, Muslims and Hindus.

The construction of the two storied building was completed in 1965-66. In 1967, ’ÄòMisereor’Äô, sponsored the Social and Catechetical Centre for a ’Äòseven year’Äô plan of ’ÄòFormation Programs’Äô, including salaries, building and all training expenses, insofar that it fostered ’Äòsocial development’Äô. Most of the trainees were Catechists.

On September 9, 1969, at an ’ÄòInterdiocesan Meeting of Catechists’Äô, No.2 of the Agenda, considered how ’Äòthe so-called ’ÄòSocial Training Institute’Äù, could be utilized for services at ’ÄòNational Level’Äô, with involvement of the 4 Dioceses as regards to both finances and staff-personnel’Äô. (O. Rec.)

At the end of 1972, the Bishops’Äô Conference held discussions ’Äúregarding the possibility of using the existing Centre at Jessore for Catechetical Training’Äù. The task to study this possibility and to make concrete proposals was entrusted to the then ’ÄòInterdiocesan Catechetical Commission’Äô. (O. Rec.)

In February 1973, Fr. Orlando Ghirardi, s.x., who graduated at the EAPI, Manila, received the appointment as the Director of the (now) ’ÄúNational Socio-Catechetical Training Centre in Jessore. (O. Rec.)

Over all these years many people have given their valuable time to carry on the several tasks of the Center. To all of them our heartfull Thank you!

The future of the NSCTC, Jessore
No doubt that the National Socio-Catechetical Training Centre, Jessore, had a great influence in updating the Church of the Vatican II, and it is due to have a positive influence in the work of formation of Lay people, Catechists and Sisters. Catechesis both for children and for adults is a priority. We are in a time of change. Over the years, we realize that people change. We need to be ready for the future. We should be as zealous as Bishop Dante Battaglierin, s.x., who understood the importance of this Institution and always wanted it with all his strength.
Much work is left. We received the CCC, the General Directory for Catechesis, the History of the Church, the Bible, in ’ÄòBangla’Äô. We have big challenges ahead of us, in the coming years:

• the framing of a National Directory for Catechesis in Bangladesh
• the composition of the Catechisms for the Primary, High School, College levels
• the composition of a Catechism for Youth, a Catechism for adults and a Catechism for the Christian Family.

We are confident in the help of the Lord, in the collaboration of the CBCB, and of all Priests, Sisters, Catechists, Lay Leaders, who are willing to work with us. We are also grateful to all those who have worked in the NSCTC in the past and are working in the present. Thanks to all those who shared with us, and came to the NSCTC, Jessore to teach and to learn how we can be Church in our times.

Sincerely yours, from the Director,
Jessore, 2/9/2008.