Year of the Word Training for Nuns Commences at Bethany Convent

As part of the centenary celebrations of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, the Year of the Word resource team initiated a special training programme for nuns. The training began on August 2, 2024, at the Bethany Convent in Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram. This programme aims to deepen the spiritual engagement of religious sisters with Scripture, empowering them to play a pivotal role in spreading the Word of God in their communities.

The inaugural meeting commenced with a welcome address by Rev. Fr. Cyril Anand Moroth O.I.C., Secretary of the Synodal Commission for Bible Apostolate, who extended warm greetings to the participants and set the tone for the days of training ahead.

The training was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Antony Mor Silvanos, Bishop of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and coordinator of the centenary celebrations. In his address, His Excellency emphasised the importance of Scripture in the religious life, encouraging the nuns to draw strength from the Word of God and to become beacons of faith in their respective communities.

The sessions during the training were led by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Antony Mor Silvanos, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Edayath, Jubilee Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Benedict Moozhikkara O.I.C., Executive Secretary of the Evangelization Apostolate, and Sister Mary Prasad D.M. These leaders conducted Lectio Divina sessions, along with other classes focused on enhancing the participants’ biblical understanding and their spiritual journey.

A Focus on the Year of the Word for Religious Sisters

This training programme for nuns is part of a broader initiative within the Syro Malankara Catholic Church’s centenary celebrations, aimed at deepening the relationship of the entire Church with Scripture. Religious sisters are seen as essential contributors to the mission of the Church, and this training empowers them to become more effective leaders in teaching and living the Word of God.

Through Lectio Divina, a traditional practice of scriptural reading and meditation, the sisters are being equipped with the spiritual tools needed to not only enrich their personal prayer lives but also guide others in their communities towards a more profound encounter with the Bible.