Navjyoti Niketan in Patna Concludes Three-Month Catechists’ Training Programme 2025

Patna, November 4, 2025: Navjyoti Niketan, the Bihar Regional Pastoral Centre in Patna, successfully concluded its intensive three-month residential Catechists’ Training Programme on 31 October 2025. The session, titled Year 1 / Cycle A, forms part of the ongoing three-year Formation Programme for Catechists of North India, held from 1 August to 31 October 2025.

Under the leadership of the new Director, Dr. Fr. M. Anthony Samy, and in close coordination with Fr. James Rosario, the Registrar, the programme was restructured around the theme “Called to Witness Faith.” It offered a comprehensive formation integrating spiritual, theological, catechetical, and practical dimensions.

The batch comprised nine participants – six laymen and three religious sisters – representing all three years of the formation cycle. The training opened with a warm inauguration that included group-building activities and the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Anthony Samy, Fr. James Rosario, and Fr. Irudayaraj.

The curriculum focused on key areas such as the Vocation and Mission of a Catechist, led by Fr. Michael Ignatius, and Basic Catholic Doctrine on the Creeds, Trinity, and Church, taught by Fr. Anil Benet Cruz. Fr. A Sebastian guided participants through the study of Church documents Dei Verbum and Lumen Gentium, while Archbishop Emeritus William D’Souza SJ highlighted the practical pastoral role of catechists in parishes.

The programme also placed strong emphasis on spiritual and theological excellence. Participants underwent a week-long spiritual retreat (23–29 October) directed by Fr. Irudayaraj, with Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura of Patna encouraging deeper personal prayer and discipleship. Fr. Peter S introduced the Lumko Prayer of Basic Ecclesial Communities, while Dr. Fr. Anthony Samy conducted practical workshops on the Synoptic Gospels and Lectio Divina.

Further sessions explored St. Paul’s missionary journeys (by Sr. Jane SCN), Church History (by Fr. Satya), and Indian Saints (by Fr. Sadanand IMS). In addition, Fr. Jerry David delivered intensive lessons on Liturgy, the Bible, and the Sacraments, complemented by Sr. Roshni SSH’s overview of the Sacraments and Sr. Prisca SND’s course on the Pedagogy of Faith.

Fr. James Rosario enriched participants with training in effective communication, while Sr. Blessy CHF spoke on the Jubilee Year of Hope. The catechists also gained hands-on pastoral experience through parish Mass participation, a Bible Festival, and practical planning sessions led by Fr. Dharam Kishore. Interfaith and ecumenical dialogue modules were facilitated by Fr. Rosario and his team.

The training concluded with a solemn Graduation Mass on 31 October, presided over by James Shekhar, Bishop of Buxar and Chairman of the Commission for Catechetics and Proclamation, and concelebrated by Fr. Anthony Samy and Fr. Anil Benet Cruz.

Three catechists were commissioned and sent forth to their pastoral assignments immediately after the ceremony. The programme was hailed as a resounding success, achieving its goal of forming faith-filled, competent witnesses committed to enriching the local Church with doctrinal clarity and pastoral effectiveness.

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