The Diocese of Pathein celebrated the central role of Scripture in the life of the Church during its annual Bible Enthronement and Award Ceremony on September 21, 2025.

The event recognized 31 participants for their dedication to studying the Word of God.

The ceremony, held at the Pathein Parish Cathedral, honored individuals from St. Philomena Boarding House, U Kyaw Boarding House, St. Bruno students, and several mothers. The participants had completed their Bible Enthronement rites the previous week, on September 14.

The program blended prayer, catechesis, and cultural performances. Following an opening prayer and hymn, the Bible was ceremonially enthroned at the center of the assembly, symbolizing the Word of God as the foundation of the community.

Fr. Raphael Phone Naing Oo, Cathedral Rector, welcomed attendees, while Fr. Augustine Aung Soe Naing, Diocesan Director of the Bible Apostolic, provided teaching on the significance of the Bible.

The event also featured historical reflections and performances by children from the Word of God Class and students from St. Philomena’s Boarding School.

The ceremony culminated with the distribution of awards to all 31 participants. Special prizes were awarded to top achievers.

Jacinta Nant Khaing Zar Chi Soe, a Grade 11 student from St. Philomena’s Boarding School, received the First Prize. Justina Naw Khushi, a kindergarten teacher, was awarded Second Prize, and Remi Saw Lyan Htet Myat, a Grade 10 student from St. Bruno, received the Third Prize. Each participant was also presented with a copy of the Holy Bible.

Fr. Augustine Aung Soe Naing connected the ceremony’s lamp-lighting ritual to Scripture, quoting Psalm 119:105: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

He emphasized that the light represents Christ, the Living Word, who guides the faithful.

The event concluded with a cultural dance by mothers of Pathein, words of thanksgiving, and a final blessing by Fr. Augustine Aung Soe Naing at 11:30 a.m.

This year’s ceremony marks the ninth such event in the diocese, guided by successive directors of the Bible Commission:

• Before 2014: Bishop Maurice Nyunt Wai (then Fr. Maurice Nyunt Wai)
• 2014–2020: Fr. Augustine Aung Soe Naing
• 2020–2024: Fr. Bosco Saw Lar Htoo

The Bible Apostolate in Pathein began in 2007 with a Basic Bible Seminar and has since expanded with the Bible Facilitators’ Seminar (BFS), strengthening lay leadership. By 2020, the Commission had conducted over 33 courses to form lay leaders.

The celebration aligns with the Church in Myanmar’s observance of Bible Sunday, held near the Feast of St. Jerome, who famously stated, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

By RVA Pwo Karen Service