Br. Malvino Alfonso, OCD & Verghese V Joseph –
In a concerted effort to deepen the spiritual engagement of the faithful, the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate (DCBA) within the Indian Archdiocese of Goa and Daman embarked on a transformative journey of biblical education during the Pastoral Year 2023-2024. The initiative saw the organisation of Bible courses across five parishes and a religious monastery, culminating in 769 participants completing the courses and becoming eligible for the diploma certificate.
The primary objectives of these courses extended beyond mere academic study; they aimed to instill a culture of meditative Bible reading within families and individuals, raise awareness about the purpose of revelation, facilitate prayerful engagement with scripture, unveil the liberating power inherent in God’s Word, and nurture a prophetic community ethos within the Church. Additionally, the main theme covered during the courses was the New Testament, emphasizing a comprehensive exploration of the teachings and narratives within the New Testament scriptures.
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 year.
The course held in Saligão Church also included participants from Reis Magos, Calangute, Nagoa (Bardez), Vagator, and Candolim. The Margao monastery had participants from the faithful of Salcete taluka. The course at Bhatpal was organized for the parishioners from Canacona deanery. Parishioners from Mandrem, Querim, and Corgão joined the course held at Arambol.
Fr. Mariano D’Costa, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate, emphasised the proactive role played by parish priests and deans in championing these courses, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of biblical faith formation among parishioners. Despite the challenges posed by weekly commitments, participants exhibited remarkable dedication, driven by a profound hunger for spiritual nourishment found in the scriptures.
Other session speakers included Fr. Simião Fernandes, Director of the Pastoral Institute in Old Goa; Fr. Aron Magalhães, Assistant Director of St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa; Fr. Onasis D’cruz, Assistant Director of St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa; and Fr. Mariano D’Costa, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate.
Participants shared poignant testimonials reflecting profound transformations experienced through their engagement with the Bible courses. Stories emerged of strengthened faith, resolved doubts, and even instances of divine intervention leading to healing in broken relationships. Many emerged from these courses as ardent followers of Christ, their lives illuminated by the teachings of Scripture, fostering deep spiritual growth.
Simitra Rodrigues from Assolna highlighted how her participation in Bible study deepened her understanding of salvation history, equipping her to share the Gospel’s message with greater love and compassion, particularly in her work with cancer patients.
“Joining the Bible study allowed me to get an in depth understanding of the 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,” said Simitra.
Bellaxa Afonso from St. Stephen’s Church recounted how delving into the Gospel of Matthew enriched her faith and nurtured a closer relationship with God through valuable lessons gleaned from parables.
Natty Fernandes from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Arambol expressed initial struggles with comprehending the Bible despite daily readings but found clarity and newfound interest through DCBA’s course.
Natty expressed her initial struggle with understanding the Bible despite reading it daily. However, she found clarity through a Bible course organized by DCBA in their parish, which enlightened her mind. “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.
Genevie Fernandes from St. Anne’s Church Agonda echoed similar sentiments about overcoming confusion through structured biblical education, emphasising diverse interpretations shaped by personal experiences.
“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. Genevie, who participated in the course held at Bhatpal church, sharing her experience She said: “Taking part in a Bible course helped me understand parts of the Bible that were confusing before. It made me realise that everyone interprets the Bible differently, based on their own lives and experiences.” She spoke about how reading the Bible helps her and what she learned from studying it.
Janis Crasto from St. Anthony’s Church in Vagator shared how attending a Bible course at Saligão Church provided clarity and deeper insights into scripture, reinforcing her faith in Christ.
“When I first read the Holy Bible, I had a lot of questions that confused me,” said Janis Crasto. She joined a course at Saligão Church to learn more about the Bible. She said that attending the Bible Course held at has created a lot of clarity, allowing her to understand the scriptures with a better, different and deeper view. Janis 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 defence of my beliefs, particularly when challenged by others,” she remarked.
Janavi Costa from Panchavadi Parish highlighted how comprehensive biblical understanding empowered her to defend her beliefs confidently when challenged by others. “This course helped me to clear up many doubts and gain a better understanding of God’s word,” shared Janavi Costa. 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.
Participants universally expressed gratitude towards the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate for conducting these enlightening courses that not only deepened their understanding of scripture but also enriched their spiritual lives and relationships with God. The success of these initiatives underscores a growing thirst for meaningful engagement with the Word of God within the Goa Archdiocese, paving the way for continued growth and empowerment through biblical formation.