When Learning to Read Became a Journey of Faith in Khonoma

Sept 12, 2026: For many elders in Khonoma village, Nagaland, the Bible was once something they could listen to but not read for themselves. Limited opportunities for formal education had left many adults without the confidence or ability to read, creating fear and hesitation when Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) were introduced.

Today, many of those same elders are able to read the Bible on their own. Their journey began with a simple response from the BEC animators: if people could not read the Word of God, they would help them learn.

A New Way of Sharing Faith

Khonoma is a Western Angami Naga village in the Diocese of Kohima, deeply rooted in its traditions, community life and agricultural livelihood. Most villagers are farmers, while faith remains an important part of community life.

When the idea of BEC was first introduced, however, it brought several challenges.

One of the most significant was literacy. Since BEC gatherings centred on Scripture sharing, reflection and prayer, many adults felt uncomfortable because they could not read the Bible. Some could not read at all, while others lacked confidence in their reading abilities.

The difficulty was not only educational. It became a pastoral concern because the inability to read prevented many elders from engaging personally with Scripture.

BEC itself was also unfamiliar. People were accustomed to expressing their faith mainly through Sunday Mass, traditional prayers and Church-led activities. Small community gatherings, Bible sharing in homes and greater participation by lay people were new experiences.

Bible reading and explanation had traditionally been associated with priests, catechists or educated leaders. For many ordinary villagers, Scripture seemed beyond their reach.

Learning to Listen

The BEC animators responded patiently.

During the gatherings, Bible passages were read aloud by those who could read. Others were encouraged to listen, reflect and share from their own experiences.

The people were reminded that encountering God's Word was not limited to reading. They could listen, reflect, pray and share what the Word meant in their lives.

Gradually, the fear began to fade.

The elders discovered that BEC was not about reading perfectly. It was about living the Word together. Listening attentively could also become a way of encountering God, while stories, life experiences and prayer could become part of faith sharing.

The experience helped the people grow in unity, confidence and responsibility within the Church.

From Gospel Sharing to Literacy

The BEC animators then recognised a deeper need.

Inspired by the Gospel and moved by compassion, Khonoma BEC decided to respond directly to the literacy challenge. They began night schools for illiterate elders, especially farmers who were free only after completing their day's work in the fields.

The Bible itself became the primary learning tool.

With patience and dedication, the animators taught the elders basic reading skills. The Word of God, which had initially been a source of hesitation, became part of their journey towards literacy.

The lamp of the Word became the lamp of learning.

Learning After a Day in the Fields

At first, elders came hesitantly.

But night after night, their determination grew. Under dim lights and after long days of work, they learned to recognise letters, form words and gradually read sacred texts.

The night schools soon became more than literacy classes.

They became spaces of encouragement, joy and fellowship. The elders supported one another, laughed at their mistakes and celebrated small achievements together.

The BEC animators continued to accompany them patiently, reminding them that learning has no age limit when the desire to learn is rooted in faith.

Families also encouraged their elders to attend the classes, recognising that the initiative was restoring confidence and dignity to people who had once felt left behind.

When the Bible Became Personal

Over time, a remarkable change took place.

Many elders who had once listened silently during BEC gatherings were now able to read the Bible themselves.

The change brought them a new sense of joy. The Word of God, which had once seemed distant, became something they could personally encounter.

The impact was visible in several ways. The elders gained confidence and dignity, participation in BEC sharing increased, their love for the Word of God deepened and their faith became more personal and active.

A Community Transformed by the Word

The experience of Khonoma shows how a BEC can respond to a real need within its community.

What began as a challenge to Bible sharing became an opportunity to empower elders through literacy. The initiative did not simply help people read words; it helped them participate more fully in the life of their faith community.

Through the night schools, the BEC of Khonoma evangelised not by preaching alone, but by helping people encounter the Word of God directly.

The light first lit in those night classes continues to point towards a faith rooted in Scripture, community and hope.

Khonoma BEC did not simply teach people to read the Bible. It helped them read their lives through the light of God's Word.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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