By Matters India Reporter

Patna, October 17, 2018: More than 3,000 people from south Bihar attended a three-day grand celebration to end the year-long “Year of the Word of God” at Patna, the capital of the eastern Indian state.

Jesuit Archbishop William D’Souza of Patna had declared the yearlong observance in all Catholic parishes to help Catholics study on the themes of the Gospels. At different times during the past 12 months, parishes had held celebrations, quizzes, variety programs and special prayer services to mark the importance of the Bible in Christian life.

The final program was held at the Queen of the Apostles Church, Kurji, a major parish in Patna.

“It’s a celebration of thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Holy Bible to the Catholic Church and the blessings we have received in and through the reading and celebrating the word of God,” Bishop D’Souza explained the celebrations.

The Bible Mahotsav (grand festival) began at 3:30 pm on October 15 with a Mass led by Archbishop D’Souza at Hartmann School grounds in the Kurji church premise. A grand procession with the Holy Bible enthroned on a palanquin started from the church ground toward St. Michael’s Primary School. Girls and boys as well as youth members led the way.

The festival has helped Christians better understand the Bible and live in the light of the universal message of peace, reconciliation, and love for all, as enshrined in the Bible, said Jesuit Father Raymond Cherubim, the parish priest and diocesan public relations officer.

The first day’s program also included an hour long prayer service led by A V Jose, an educationist and member of Couples for Christ, and his team.

Young people presented a variety cultural program on Biblical Themes in the evening.

The second day’s program began at 6:30 am with a series of prayer sessions. The highlights of the day were Mass led by Coadjutor Bishop Sebastian Kallupura, a Bible Quiz on the Gospel of St. Luke, and a variety cultural show by the visiting delegates from different parishes of South Bihar at St. Michael’s Primary School.

Archbishop D’Souza is scheduled to lead the Mass on the concluding day.