India: Goa Archdiocese empowers faithful through Biblical Formation

The Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate (DCBA) within the Indian Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has successfully graduated 769 participants from Bible courses during the Pastoral Year 2023-2024.

On this day of graduation, participants from five parishes and a religious monastery were awarded their Diploma Certificates.

Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão presided over the Eucharistic Celebration for the Diploma Ceremony at St. Anthony's Church in Panchavadi. Fr. Lucio Dias, the Episcopal Vicar for the South Zone of the Diocese, and Fr. Denis Fernandes, the Episcopal Vicar for the North Zone, led the Eucharistic celebrations at the Carmelite Monastery in Margao and the Saligão Church, respectively, on Diploma Day. Mariano D'Costa, the Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate, was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration at St. Stephen's Church in Santo Estevao. The Diploma Ceremony at Bhatpal and Arambol is still forthcoming.

Fr. Mariano D’costa, the Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate, said: “One very encouraging thing is that these courses for parishioners are asked by the Parish Priest or Dean for the deanery. They take the initiative and also organize. That means they recognize the importance of biblical faith formation for their parishioners."

Fr. D’costa presented testimonials from participants in the course, who shared stories of reinforced faith, dispelled doubts, and even moments of divine intervention that mended fractured relationships.

“Many have emerged from the courses as devoted followers of Jesus, living their lives illuminated by the teachings of Scripture, fostering deep spiritual growth,” Fr. D’Costa said.

The course aimed to encourage meditative reading of the Bible both individually and in families, raise awareness among believers regarding the purpose of revelation, support believers in praying with the Bible, guide them in uncovering the liberating power of God's Word, and nurture the growth of a prophetic community within the Church.

The main theme covered during the courses was the New Testament. In addition to lectures by resource persons, participants engaged in group studies and answered two questionnaires. 

Simitra Rodrigues, a participant in the course, said, “Joining the Bible study allowed me to get an in-depth understanding of salvation history. I got to learn from his experience the context and significance of the various events described in the Bible and the relationship of the Old Covenant with the New."   

As she is deeply involved in sharing the Word, particularly through counseling cancer patients, Rodrigues said that this Bible study has fortified her ability to spread the Gospel message with even greater love and compassion.

"The course on the Gospel of Matthew granted me a profound insight into its historical and cultural backdrop," shared Bellaxa Afonso, another attendee, who pondered her journey and noted that the course deepened her faith and nurtured a more intimate connection with God. Through exploring the meanings of the parables, she unearthed important teachings about patience, and realism, refraining from superficial judgments, and acknowledging everyone's equality in the kingdom of God.

Natty Fernandes, a fellow participant, shared her initial difficulties in comprehending the Bible, even with daily reading. She did, however, gain enlightening insights after taking a Bible study course that DCBA organized in their parish.

"Now, I find reading the Bible interesting and comprehensible," said Natty, who participated in the course in her Parish. She advocates for similar courses to be conducted in every parish to make it easier for the faithful to understand the Bible.

"Every day, I read the Bible to feel better and learn new things. But some parts are hard to understand, even after reading them many times,” said Genevie Fernandes, a parishioner of St. Anne’s Church Agonda.  

“Taking part in a Bible course helped me understand parts of the Bible that were confusing before. It made me realize that everyone interprets the Bible differently, based on their own lives and experiences," said Fernandes, discussing the benefits she gains from reading the Bible and the insights she has acquired through her study of it.

"When I first read the Holy Bible, I had a lot of questions that confused me," said Janis Crasto, a parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church in Vagator.  She said that attending the Bible Course has created a lot of clarity, allowing her to understand the scriptures with a better, different, and deeper view. Crasto believes knowing more about the Bible is important for understanding her faith in Jesus Christ.

"This comprehensive understanding of the Bible has empowered me to delve deeper into its teachings and has equipped me with the confidence to stand unwavering in defense of my beliefs, particularly when challenged by others," Crasto said.

"This course helped me to clear up many doubts and gain a better understanding of God's word," shared Janavi Costa from Panchavadi Parish. She mentioned that the in-depth study of salvation enlightened her and increased her knowledge.

"Being part of the Bible Course brought many blessings into my life. Studying the Bible strengthened my faith and deepened my relationship with God," she explained.

The resource personnel for the entire course comprised Fr. Simião Fernandes, Director of the Pastoral Institute in Old Goa; Fr. Aron Magalhães, Assistant Director of the St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa; Fr. Onasis D’cruz, Assistant Director of the St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa; and Fr. Mariano D’Costa, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate.

The courses took place at various parishes, including St. Anthony Church in Panchadi, Our Lady Mother of God Church in Saligão, St. Stephen’s Church in Santo Estevao, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Arambol, and St. Francis Xavier’s Church in Bhatpal and Carmelite Monastery in Margao.   These courses were held in the evenings throughout the week in different locations during the pastoral. -Br Malvino Alfonso, OCD