Bihar Bible Festival Urges Children to Become Courageous Witnesses of Christ

PATNA, October 20, 2026: A four-day Bible festival in Patna brought together 150 children, animators and diocesan directors from five dioceses of Bihar, urging young Catholics to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and put their faith into action through courageous service.

The Bihar Regional Junior Bible Festival 2026 was held at the Bihar Regional Pastoral Centre from October 17 to 20 under the theme, “Happy Hero: Walking with Jesus to Love and Serve Courageously like St. Francis of Assisi.”

Bishop James Shekhar of Buxar, chairperson of the Bible Commission of the Bihar Regional Bishops’ Council, inaugurated the festival and challenged participants to make the Word of God central to their Christian lives.

“Ignoring the Bible amounts to ignoring Christ Himself,” the bishop said, encouraging the children to become Spirit-filled witnesses of Jesus in their families and communities.

The festival focused on the Book of Joshua, the Gospel of Mark and the Letter to the Philippians. Poster-making and Bible speed-search competitions helped participants engage with Scripture while developing their creativity and biblical knowledge.

Fr Anthony Samy, secretary of the Regional Bible Commission and director of Navjyoti Niketan, Patna, coordinated the inaugural sessions with the support of Fr James Rosario, administrator of the centre; Fr Pranoy IMS, director of Sadbhavna Vaishali in Muzaffarpur diocese; and Fr Amit Soren, also from Muzaffarpur diocese.

Welcoming the participants, Fr Anthony urged them to use their talents to celebrate and share the Word of God. He described a person who carries Scripture and rejoices in others’ victories as a “true, great, and Happy Hero”.

Inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, the festival sought to connect biblical learning with a practical commitment to love, service and Christian witness.

By Fr. Antonysamy,

Director, Navjyoti, Regional Pastoral Center, Patna

Cum Bible Commission SecretaryCatholic Connect Reporter