Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Hitik: Internationa Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators (13th National Conference on Catechesis and Religious Education)

Faith, culture, and education in motion—insights from Gen Z to eco‑mission, shaping Religious Education Studies in the Philippines and Asia.

Welcome to this new issue of our journal. We are delighted to present a collection of articles that reflect the vibrant intersections of faith, culture, and education in the Philippines and Asia.

This issue begins with a study on Video App Usability and Creative Empowerment of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Learners, reminding us of the importance of inclusivity in digital education. We then turn to Generation Z, with two articles—Zoomers as Contemporary Adherents and Unveiling the Relevance of Reading the Bible among Gen Z College Students—that highlight how young Filipinos are reshaping religious practice and biblical engagement in contemporary contexts.

Cross-cultural insights emerge in Nine Grains of Rice and the Messianic Society, which explores Karen rice–merit networks in Thailand, while philosophical and theological depth is offered in ‘Maganda’ in the Fifth Argument of Quinque Viae and Understanding Human Suffering among Black Nazarene Devotees. These works remind us that beauty and suffering remain central to theological reflection.

The ecological and social dimensions of faith are addressed in Earth Rights in Religious Education, which calls for catechetical reform toward care for creation, and Exploring the Role of the Kariton Klasrum Project, which demonstrates service-learning as values formation. Finally, The Children’s Gaze on Benedictine Monks offers fresh perspectives from young students on monastic life.

Together, these articles affirm that religious education is dynamic, contextual, and transformative. We extend heartfelt thanks to our peer reviewers, whose collegial contributions have strengthened this issue.

May this issue inspire educators, theologians, and pastoral leaders to continue weaving faith and life together in ways that empower, heal, and transform.

Dr. Rito V. Baring
Editor-in-Chief

13^th National Conference on Catechesis and Religious Education
Frontiers in Religious Education: Divergence and Convergence
April 25-26, 2025 | Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Pampanga

A frontier may be a physical border, an intellectual task to be resolved, or an unexplored expanse waiting to be explored. In Catholic practice, a frontier is “mission” which suggest pioneering work in new territories and new endeavors. In education this can include unexplored areas for understanding in teaching and learning. For Religious Education, it can be a “mission field” or a subject of interest that solicits understanding, analysis and reflection as it applies to students’ religious beliefs, dispositions and formation. These mission fields may include new technologies, arts and music, culture, human formation, values formation, justice and peace, dialogue, and ecology. Given that Catholic schools are collaborators in church mission, how do these fields affirm the mission of evangelization shared by the church with Religious Education?