Faith Handed On: Catechists Who Shaped Generations in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman

In the parishes of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, catechesis in earlier decades unfolded under circumstances very different from today. Resources were scarce, structured syllabi were unknown, and formal training for catechists was minimal or absent. Teaching relied on personal faith, memorisation, prayer, and deep commitment. Over the years, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre introduced well-prepared formation programmes, catechetical book series, training courses, and ongoing support for catechists. Yet long before these systems existed, the foundations of faith in many parishes were laid by men and women whose quiet fidelity shaped generations.

Among them are three catechists whose lives stand as enduring testimonies of perseverance and love for God’s Word: Anthony Cruz of Our Lady of Miracles Church, Sanguem; Ana Maria Mendonça of St Bartholomew Church, Chorão; and Rasifo Victor Antonio D’Souza of St Jerome’s Church, Mapusa. Each has served the Church faithfully for over fifty years.

Anthony Cruz: A Lifelong Response to God’s Love

For Anthony Cruz, catechesis was never simply a Sunday duty but a lifelong response to God’s love. He began teaching at Our Lady of Miracles Church, Sanguem, in 1975, when formal training and structured guidance were unavailable. Classes were often mixed-age, and teaching relied on memorisation, personal study, and prayer. A turning point came in 1981 when he received formal catechetical training, after which he participated eagerly in every programme offered.

Anthony’s service extended beyond the main parish to the wards and chapels of Molcornem, Uguem, and Curdi. Despite occasional criticism, he remained undeterred, motivated by a desire to form children, youth, and families in faith. He recalls fondly students who were attentive, respectful, and reverent, and continues to treat catechism children as his own. Many of his former students have become catechists, priests, and religious, and some proudly tell their grandchildren that Anthony Cruz was their catechist. His message to today’s catechists: strengthen your faith, and let your life itself become the message.

Ana Maria Mendonça: Perseverance Rooted in Prayer and Trust

In Chorão, Ana Maria Mendonça of St Bartholomew Church has dedicated fifty-two years to catechesis. Her vocation began at First Holy Communion, and by age nine, she had memorised prayers, Rosary mysteries, and litanies. Teachers encouraged her to assist others, which gradually matured into a lifelong calling.

Her early years were marked by limited resources and no age-appropriate materials. Teaching depended heavily on memorisation and creativity. Ana Maria sought nourishment from homilies, handwritten materials, magazines such as Don Bosco and Madonna, Sacred Scripture, and the lives of saints. Joining the Legion of Mary at age ten further deepened her sense of mission. She often reflects that it was not she who taught, but Jesus speaking through her.

When catechetical training became available, Ana Maria embraced it with gratitude, participating eagerly in courses and formation programmes. A cherished memory came during the 1986–87 training course when her parish priest received her certificate on her behalf while she was away for work in Bombay. Today, the fruits of her dedication are visible in students living strong lives of faith, some married, some religious, and many now serving as catechists themselves. Her enduring advice: serve the Lord wholeheartedly, be filled with God’s love, and become living examples for children.

Rasifo Victor Antonio D’Souza: Formed by the Word, Sent to Teach

Rasifo Victor Antonio D’Souza began his journey while working at the Navy establishment in Vasco. Sharing a room with a colleague who regularly read the Bible, he was introduced to a passage on the Transfiguration of Jesus—a moment that transformed his life. Drawn deeply to Christ, he immersed himself in the New Testament, attended Mass, and engaged closely with parish priests. Feeling compelled to share the Word, he began teaching catechism without structured materials or syllabi, giving central importance to Scripture.

He participated wholeheartedly in catechetical formation programmes once they became available. The first eighteen years of his service were at St Andrew’s Parish, Vasco; thereafter, he continued at St Jerome’s Church, Mapusa. Rasifo Victor attributes his perseverance to God’s grace and disciplined preparation, often beginning lessons a full week in advance. His practical advice: prepare lessons well, study deeply, and help students listen with interest, for effective catechesis begins with a well-prepared heart and mind.

Faith, Perseverance, and the Fruits of Ministry

The lives of Anthony Cruz, Ana Maria Mendonça, and Rasifo Victor Antonio D’Souza bear witness to catechesis rooted not in convenience, but conviction; not in methods alone, but in lived faith. They teach that catechesis is more than teaching prayers—it is forming hearts, listening to God, and responding with commitment.

While modern formation methods, structured resources, and technology now support catechists, the essence of their ministry remains unchanged: faith nurtured through prayer, fidelity, and love, patiently handed on from one generation to the next. Through their decades of service, these catechists have shaped not only the spiritual lives of children but also the faith culture of entire communities, leaving an enduring legacy for the Church in Goa and Daman.