The Pre-Baptismal Catechesis is being conducted in approximately 40 parishes in the Archdiocese of Bombay, although not all the parishes are conducting it according to the Diocesan Plan. The Pre-Baptismal Catechesis formulated by the Diocesan Catechetical Centre consists of four interactive sessions:

New Life - The aim of this session is to raise the awareness level in the expectant couples of the Sacraments of Initiation, namely Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and what it means to be a fully initiated Christian.

This session effectively brings out that we are all "one body in Christ" in spite of our different social, cultural and even religious backgrounds through the symbolism of the participants forming a wheel. The hub being Christ, the Centre of all New Life, we being united Him individually (the spokes) and we are all united to one another (the rim). "The Church in Christ, is in the nature of sacrament - a sign and instrument that is of communion with God and of unity among all men" (Lumen Gentium 1)

A Child's Faith Formation - Whose business it is anyway? - The second session brings to the attention of the expectant couples their unique role as Christian Parents and as Members of the Christian community to form the faith of their children - they being given the privilege as co-creators with God bringing life into this world according to His plan. This session also leads them to a better understanding of the need for the completion of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation.

Faith-formation of the growing child is primarily the responsibility of the parents. The Rite of Baptism of Children stresses that parents prepare to take part in the rite "with understanding". This preparation is to take place with the assistance of the local church. Parents are to be provided "with suitable means (of preparation for the Rite of Baptism) such as books, instructions and catechisms written for families" (RBC 5).

The role of parents in the faith formation of the growing child is reinforced by the Second Vatican Council: "From the marriage of Christians, there comes the family in which new citizens of human society are born and by the Grace of the Holy Spirit in Baptism, those are made Children of God so that the people of God may be perpetuated throughout the centuries. In what may be regarded as the domestic church, the parents by word and example are the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children" (Lumen Gentium 11)

Godparent - Second Parent! - The third session addresses the godparents (who are specially requested to be present). Their primary role as laid out both in Canon Law and the Roman Ritual is to support the parents and nurture the faith life of the child, and in time by helping him/her to be regular and frequent in public worship, private prayer, not only by teaching but by example. This session interactively makes them aware of the significance and importance of their role. Godparents really accept a lifetime of commitment and the Church today encourages us to look at the ministry of godparents seriously.

Born Anew - The fourth session looks at the Rite of Baptism in detail giving parents an opportunity to reflect on the task ahead of them. It explains the signs and the symbols in the Rite of Baptism so that through these visible signs the expectant parents begin to ponder God's invisible mysteries of salvation. The rite itself is so rich in text and ritual that catechesis flows from it in a very meaningful manner enabling parents and godparents celebrate the rite with conviction and in the spirit that the Church now demands. The communitarian aspect of the Sacrament of Baptism is very forcefully brought out.

Pre-Baptismal Catechesis Programme & its various aspects

The programme integrates various levels of society, ranging from upper-lower classes to the slum-dwellers. A happy mean exists in what is termed the middle class.

The Church in Mumbai has never discriminated between classes of society. Religious and social functions are open to all. "As all the members of the human body though they are many, form one body, so also are the faithful in Christ (cf. 1 Cor 12:12)". "Also in the building up of Christ's body there is engaged a diversity of members and functions" ( Lumen Gentium 7)

This practice of being "one body in Christ" is followed in the Pre-Baptismal courses. As in our Church services, the participants sit where they like. A general feeling of oneness and togetherness is further fostered by praying in one group, serving tea and snacks to all, and making all participate and share in the group discussions, thus creating an atmosphere of fellowship. Barriers do break down when we realise that we share the same common human problems.

Cultural differences based on ethnic roots exist and will continue. These differences are made evident in the dress worn and the language spoken by various communites - mainly Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Tamil, Malayalam speaking and so on.

In the Pre-Baptismal Catechesis Programme, the team of Catechists themselves come from different social and cultural backgrounds. The team spirit is evident to the participants. The Catechists play a very important role in creating a congenial communitarian atmosphere. They freely interact with couples, and even hold and look after infants and other younger children accompanying their parents.

Language differences are also overcome by having bi-lingual Catechists/Animators and the worksheets for the various sessions being made available in the main languages spoken by the participants and the Catechists - English, Konkani, Hindi, Marathi & Tamil.