By Fr Nathaneal George, sdb for BIS Mumbai

A group of youth from St John Bosco Parish, Savedi, and St Anne’s Church, Ahilyanagar, participated in a two-day Lenten retreat held at Lonavla. The retreat, organized as part of the annual spiritual preparation for Lent, brought together 17 young participants accompanied by three animators. The retreat was guided by Fr Richard Burkhao SDB, with the assistance of Sr Justina Rodrigues FMA and Fr Nathaneal George SDB. The central theme focused on self-awareness, reconciliation with God, and realigning one’s life with the person of Jesus Christ.

 Despite being scheduled in the middle of the week, which posed certain challenges for attendance, the retreat witnessed meaningful participation. The smaller group size proved beneficial, fostering a deeper sense of involvement, openness, and commitment among the youth. In a conscious effort to promote silence and interior reflection, participants voluntarily refrained from using mobile phones, dedicating their time to prayer, reading, and personal introspection.

 The retreat commenced on the evening of the 17th with an orientation session conducted by the Rector, Fr Blany Pinto. He introduced the participants to the purpose, expectations, and spiritual atmosphere of the retreat house at Lonavla. The following day was structured around a series of sessions aimed at deepening the participants’ spiritual journey. Themes included self-introspection, attentive listening to God, and cultivating trust in His providence.

 A significant part of the retreat was dedicated to the theme of ‘taking the inward journey’ and listening to God and putting one’s trust in Him. Later on, a session on repentance, helped prepare the youth for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that was held later in the evening. One of the most impactful moments of the retreat was the Way of the Cross. During this devotion, participants symbolically expressed their repentance by writing down their sins and physically nailing them to the cross, creating a powerful and tangible experience of surrender and renewal. The day concluded with the screening of a spiritually enriching film centred on fidelity and faithfulness.

 The final session, led by Sr Justina Rodrigues, focused on living out one’s Christian vocation authentically and bearing witness to one’s faith in daily life. The retreat concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in honour of St Joseph, marking a fitting end to the spiritual journey.

 Overall, the retreat provided a valuable opportunity for the youth to step away from their routine, engage in meaningful reflection, and deepen their relationship with God. The experience proved to be spiritually enriching and impactful for all participants.