By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, Jan 28, 2025: Bible study classes are transforming people’s lives besides deepening their understanding of the Scriptures, say the graduates of this year’s Bible course conducted by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
“Little did I know that it would change my daily walk with Christ. It was one of the best decisions we ever made and it turned out to be a life changing experience,” said Rupa Colaco, a dentist who was among the 133 graduates who received the certificate on January 26 at a program in the Aldona parish.
As many as 925 graduates received the certificates at various centers and parishes in the archdiocese on the day marking the Sunday of the Word of God.
The participants came different walks of life – teachers, parents, children, youth, catechists, nurses and doctors, said Father Mariano D’Costa, the director of Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate that conducts the annual nine-month course.
Doctor Colaco, who received baptism at the age of 16 after an encounter with Christ, said she had “a profoundly enriching experience that impacted my spiritual growth.” The course has “deepened my understanding of the Scriptures and its relevance in my life,” added the 44-year-old woman, who attended the classes with her three children aged 11, 13, and 16.
Selma, another graduate of this year, described the course as the “best” that changed her life as a nurse as well as her family life.
“The Bible teachings guided my steps, gave me wisdom and clarity and direction in the confused world,” said Selma, who organizes Bible reflection in small groups among the nurses in her hospital.
The course “helped me grow in faith and learn about the beautiful plan of God has for me and my family. It changed the way I think in my family life. We started reading the Word of God daily in my family and started claiming the scriptures. The Word of God became alive in us through the Holy Spirit.”
Father D’Costa told Matters India that the archdiocese started the course ten years ago to promote meditative reading of the Bible individually and as family. It also aims to help the faithful to pray with the Bible, and discover the liberating power of the Word of God, and become a prophetic community,” he explained.
More than 600 people undergo the annual nine-month Bible classes organized across in deaneries, parishes and other centers in the archdiocese. During this pastoral year 2024-2025 about 900 are graduating the course, Father D’Costa said.
Doctor Colaco found the course was not just about gaining knowledge but applying the Bible lessons to people’s daily lives. The program encouraged her and her children to develop a more personal relationship with God.
“The course gave me tools to face life’s challenges with faith. It also enabled me to share God’s Word with others with even more love and zeal,” she added.