Patna archbishop outlines six steps toward a holier life 

PATNA, Bihar (Indian Catholic News) — Patna Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura has offered Christians a six-point checklist for growing in holiness, stressing that closeness to Christ demands a change of life, not merely an emotional or devotional experience. 

In his message, “Who Shall Climb the Mountain of the Lord?” published in the July-September 2026 issue of Patna Archdiocesan Samachar, Archbishop Kallupura says holiness is not reserved for a select few but is the calling of every Christian. 

Drawing on Psalm 24, he asks, “Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place?” The answer, he says, is “the one who has clean hands and a pure heart.” 

“The question of the Psalmist is an invitation to examine our lives,” he writes. “To climb the mountain of the Lord is to undertake the journey of holiness — to allow ourselves to be transformed and conformed to Christ.” 

The Church, he adds, reminds Christians that “holiness is not reserved for a chosen few.” Every Christian, whatever their state in life, is called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity. 

Closeness to Christ demands change 

Archbishop Kallupura warns that following Christ comes at a cost, requiring believers to leave behind attitudes, habits, attachments and choices incompatible with the Gospel. 

“Following Christ therefore cannot remain merely an emotional experience or a devotional practice,” he writes. “It is a decision to allow Christ to shape the whole of our life.” 

He adds that the closer Christians come to Christ, the more they must become like him. 

The journey resembles climbing a mountain, he says, because it requires “perseverance, discipline, sacrifice and determination.” There will be difficult stretches, moments of tiredness and occasions when believers are tempted to turn back. 

Scripture encourages Christians to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus,” he writes, citing Hebrews 12:1-2. 

The second step is to model one’s life on Christ, the “divine Teacher and Model of perfection” presented in Lumen Gentium, a document of the Second Vatican Council. 

Becoming like Christ means learning from his humility, compassion, obedience to the Father, forgiveness, patience, concern for the poor and suffering, readiness to serve and willingness to sacrifice. 

Scripture, resolve and grace sustain the journey 

The third step is to let God’s Word guide the journey. Citing the council’s document Dei Verbum, Archbishop Kallupura says Scripture is not simply a collection of ancient religious writings but “the living Word through which God continues to speak to His people.” 

Christians must spend time with God’s Word, reading it prayerfully, meditating on it and allowing it to question their attitudes and choices. 

The fourth step is a firm personal resolve to remain faithful to Christ despite difficulties. The bishop acknowledges that following Christ can be unpopular and that truth, generosity, honesty and faithfulness may demand sacrifice. 

“We need a firm resolve: ‘Come what may, I will remain on the Lord’s side,’” he writes, presenting perseverance as essential to the Christian journey. 

The fifth step is recognising that holiness cannot be achieved through human strength alone. “Our effort is a response to God’s grace, not a substitute for it,” Kallupura writes, citing St. Paul. 

The final step is to climb the mountain one step at a time through everyday choices: forgiveness instead of resentment, truth instead of falsehood, service instead of self-interest, humility instead of pride, generosity instead of selfishness, and faithfulness instead of compromise. 

“The goal is not simply to become ‘better people.’ The goal is much greater: to become more like Christ,” he writes. 

Concluding with the invitation of Psalm 24, Archbishop Kallupura urges Christians to begin the journey with humility, accept God’s grace, remain faithful to his Word and persevere even when the road becomes difficult. 

He offers this prayer: “Lord, purify my heart, cleanse my hands, strengthen my resolve, and make me more like You. Whatever the cost, whatever the difficulty, whatever the circumstances — may I remain faithful to You.” 

Read the message.