‘A Bible for Every Home’ Campaign Brings Scripture to 100 Catholic Households in Amalapuram, A.P.

Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, Sept. 3, 2025: 100 Catholic families belonging to Immaculate Conception Church in Amalapuram, a parish under the Diocese of Eluru, received Telugu copies of the Holy Bible on Sunday, August 31, as part of the “A Bible for Every Home” campaign. The distribution was carried out by Fr. Alfonso Elengikal, SSP, a member of the Society of St. Paul (Pauline Congregation), who personally visited families across the parish’s eight villages.

Launched by the Society of St. Paul in the Diocese of Eluru in 2022, the “A Bible for Every Home” campaign aims to make the Scriptures accessible and affordable for every household within the diocese. 

“Our mission is to make the Bible available to everyone in the diocese at a price they can afford,” said Fr. Alfonso, while speaking to Catholic Connect News. “Currently, we provide Bibles at a subsidised rate of ₹300, and for deserving families, even less, compared to the market price of ₹600–₹650.”

A Vision Rooted in Pauline Spirituality

The campaign draws inspiration from the dream of Blessed James Alberione, founder of the Pauline Congregation, who envisioned “A Bible for Every Home, a New Testament for Everyone.” “Blessed Alberione wanted everyone to have access to the Word of God—and at a price within their means. His vision inspired me to start this initiative in the Diocese of Eluru,” Fr. Alfonso explained.

Fr. Alfonso officially launched the campaign on November 26, 2022, the liturgical feast of Blessed Alberione, through Subodha Nilayam, the Catholic communication centre run by the Pauline Congregation in Eluru. The initial goal was to reach 1,500 families in 10 parishes of the diocese. However, the project quickly expanded, covering 25 parishes and distributing over 3,000 Bibles within a year. Each household received a Telugu Catholic Bible at ₹150 (half the actual rate of ₹300), while several low-income families received it for free.

Despite printing costs rising to ₹600 per copy in February 2023, the campaign continues to offer Bibles at a subsidised rate of ₹300, with additional discounts for students and low-income families.

Growing Outreach

The first parish to benefit from the “A Bible for Every Home” campaign was Lourdu Matha Shrine Parish, Thadikalapudi, where all 550 families across 10 villages received Bibles. To strengthen the initiative, a Central Office was inaugurated in February 2023 at Subodha Nilayam by Fr. Domenico Soliman, SSP, Superior General. This office now coordinates Bible distribution across the dioceses of Eluru and Khammam and makes related literature in Telugu available at affordable prices.

In January 2024, the campaign extended to Konaseema District, covering Amalapuram and Razole vicariates. By mid-2025, the programme had distributed Bibles to over 5,000 families in 62 parishes across both dioceses. The Society of St. Paul hopes to reach 6,000 families by December 2025.

Those interested in learning more or supporting the initiative can contact:

Fr. Alfonso Elengikal, SSP

Address: Subodha Nilayam, K.B. Singh Road, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh – 534 006, India

Phone: +91 98338 07756

Email: alfonsoelengikal@gmail.com

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Download the Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates:

Android: Click here to download

iOS: Click here to download