Diocese of Mysore Launches Lay Formation Programme in Mysuru for Year of Faith 2026

Mysuru, February 26, 2026 — Marking the Year of Faith 2026 with a renewed pastoral thrust, the Diocese of Mysore has inaugurated a structured Biblical and Liturgical Orientation Programme for the laity, aimed at deepening spiritual formation and fostering mature Christian discipleship across the local Church.

Conducted on the third Sunday of every month at the Catholic Centre Mysuru from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the initiative has witnessed consistent participation, drawing between 100 and 160 faithful from parishes throughout the diocese. The programme unfolds under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Dr. Francis Serrao, SJ and reflects the diocesan commitment to strengthening faith formation and promoting authentic Christian living among lay faithful.

Organisers describe the Year of Faith as a call not merely to observance but to interior renewal. The formation process seeks to help participants rediscover the centrality of Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist in Christian life, equipping them to live their vocation with greater awareness and missionary zeal. The programme aims to nurture lay leaders rooted in the Word of God, encourage conscious and fruitful participation in the Sacred Liturgy, and strengthen faith at personal, family and parish levels.

The Biblical component offers systematic grounding in Sacred Scripture, addressing themes such as divine inspiration, salvation history, the unity of the Old and New Testaments, and methods of prayerful engagement with the Word of God. Participants are guided in integrating Scripture into daily spirituality, family prayer, parish ministry and evangelisation, recognising it as a living source of guidance for Christian witness.

Complementing this, the liturgical formation deepens understanding of the theology and structure of the Sacred Liturgy, with particular focus on the Eucharistic celebration. Sessions explore the unity of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, liturgical norms, Sacred Tradition, and the active role of the laity in worship. The formation seeks to cultivate reverence, awareness and spiritual participation in parish celebrations.

The initiative also encourages greater lay responsibility in ecclesial life, promoting participation in liturgical ministries, parish apostolates, evangelisation efforts and Small Christian Communities.

Theological input and pastoral guidance are provided by Fr. Joseph Marie J. and Fr. Vijayaraj Jaunet, while coordination is overseen by Fr. Maria Xavier, Youth and Pious Association In-charge, and Fr. Arul Selva Kumar, Diocesan Commission Coordinator.

According to parish priests, the programme is already bearing pastoral fruit, including deeper Eucharistic understanding, renewed family prayer practices and increased lay leadership within parish communities. The initiative is emerging as a significant diocesan formation movement, fostering a spiritually vibrant and mission-oriented laity during the Year of Faith 2026.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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