Meet The Capuchin Priest From Goa Using YouTube to Keep the Catholic Faith Alive

August 26, 2025

THE SOUL OF THE LITURGY: MUSIC IN THE SERVICE OF THE SACRED

Digital media has become a very popular tool for evangelisation and is being gradually adopted by many Catholic priests across the world to create videos related to faith. One among these many priests is Fr. Nelson Lobo, a Capuchin priest from Goa.

Fr. Nelson is well known for his videos on the Catholic faith, which he shares on his two YouTube channels: Goemkar Guru (in Konkani) and Wondering Guru (in English). Currently based at the Holy Family Co-Cathedral in Kuwait City, he serves as a guiding light for thousands in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, ministering to communities across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

His journey is one of deep spirituality, academic excellence, and an unwavering commitment to bringing hope in a rapidly changing world.

A Goan Heart with a Global Mission

Born on 2 March 1975, Fr. Nelson grew up on the picturesque island of Santo Estevam in Goa, famously called “St. Stephen’s Island” after the first Christian martyr. His early education was at St. Theresa School, followed by high school at St. Anthony’s Boarding School, Monte de Guirim, Goa, run by the Capuchins.

Answering the divine call early in life, Fr. Nelson joined the Capuchin order soon after high school, made his final profession on 13 May 2002, and was ordained a priest on 4 May 2004 in his home parish. After ordination, he completed a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Nirmala Institute of Education, Panjim, securing first place in the college. He later successfully pursued an M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences.

In 2005, Fr. Nelson was appointed as the full-time boarding director and schoolteacher at his alma mater, St. Anthony School in Monte de Guirim, where he served for three years until 2008. In 2009, he was appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Gloria Church in Varca, Goa.

In 2010, Fr. Nelson went to Rome to pursue his licentiate studies in Bioethics and Moral Theology and successfully graduated with Summa Cum Laude honours in 2013.

Speaking to Catholic Connect, Fr. Nelson shared that he chose to pursue bioethics in response to the growing number of couples in today’s world who, as he put it, “struggle to conceive and seek medical solutions without understanding the moral and ethical implications. “I wanted to help them make informed, faith-based decisions,” he says.

Between 2014 and 2022, Fr. Nelson served in various capacities at several Capuchin institutions in Goa. His roles included Vicar-Provincial of St. Anthony Province, Goa, and Superior at Padre Pio Friary, Navelim (2014-17); Spiritual Director, Confessor, and Preacher at Shanti Niwas, Cuncolim (2017-2019); and Promoter of Padre Pio Devotion at the Padre Pio Chapel, Navelim (2020-22).

The Writer Who Speaks to Hearts

Apart from his priestly duties, Fr. Nelson is also an accomplished author. He has written seven books and contributed numerous articles to Renovação, the bulletin of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, as well as to other prominent Catholic publications such as The Examiner and the Salesian bulletin Sangati.

One of his most celebrated works is The Laughing Couples, first published in 2008. This book was a tremendous success that year, with all copies selling out quickly. It was primarily given to couples attending marriage preparation courses in Goa.

In May this year, Fr. Nelson released a completely revised edition of The Laughing Couples in Kuwait, aimed at supporting engaged couples in the Gulf region. While retaining the essence of the original, the new edition features fresh insights, updated reflections, new jokes, and a renewed perspective on love and relationships.

A Digital Apostle During a Global Crisis

When COVID-19 forced churches to shut their doors, Fr. Nelson opened new ones – on YouTube. He launched two popular channels, “Goemkar Guru” (in Konkani) and “Wondering Guru” (in English).

Goemkar Guru features videos of Konkani songs, Goan traditions, Catholic feasts, and biblical reflections.

Wondering Guru tackles social issues, Christian teachings, and the lives of saints with clarity and depth.

These channels became a spiritual lifeline for thousands during the pandemic and continue to inspire even today.

Mission in the Gulf

In 2022, Fr. Nelson arrived in Qatar as Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Doha, serving as spiritual director for the Konkani-speaking community. Within a year, he was entrusted with a major responsibility: Director of Catechism, Faith Formation, and Bible Studies for the entire Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA).

“I am fully in charge of catechism in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia,” Fr. Nelson says. “All parish priests and catechists in these four countries report to me on matters related to catechism and faith formation. I provide them with guidance on catechetical matters, train catechists through specialised courses, organise Bible studies, and conduct formation programmes.”

Broken Marriages: A Social Shift, Not a Sacred Fault

Fr. Nelson, who gives talks during marriage preparation courses in parishes across Kuwait and other countries under the AVONA, believes the rising number of broken marriages today stems not from any weakness in the sacrament of marriage but from a changing social mindset. “Modern society promotes an individualistic mentality—‘This is my life; I’ll do what I want’—without considering consequences,” he explains. He also emphasises the deep impact of childhood experiences, noting that unresolved wounds from an unhappy upbringing often surface in married life. “Happy childhoods make happy marriages,” he says, stressing the need for inner healing before entering a lifelong commitment.

A Journey of Faith from Goa to Arabia

From the lush fields of Goa to the deserts of Arabia, Fr. Nelson Lobo continues to inspire with his intellect, creativity, and pastoral zeal. Whether through his books, digital content, or catechetical leadership, he remains true to his mission—to build strong families, informed consciences, and a faith-filled community.