BIS #3091 A SPIRITUAL RETREAT OF "SORTS"!

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE #3091

A SPIRITUAL RETREAT OF “SORTS”!

Fr Lawrence D’souza

 

DIVYADAAN, NASHIK, AUGUST 29, 2012 :  The retreat for the Leaders of Communities of the Mumbai Province was a Contemplative retreat - something I had never experienced in my 45 years of Salesian life.

There were no common morning prayers recited, no morning meditation officially had, just an input-talk by the retreat preacher at 9am every morning, after that, silent reflections till the Eucharist celebration at 12:15 pm. The breaking of the word was done by the retreat preacher. Silence was observed all through.  Each one by himself and for himself with the Lord.

 

No evening prayers in common, but from 5 to 8pm the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the Chapel for those desirous of a daily union with the Lord Jesus. From 7 to 8pm the retreatants gathered together to be in communion with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. No common night-prayers, not even the traditional Salesian goodnight.

 

It was all contemplative, for the day ended with the Blessed Sacrament exposed from 9 to 10pm. After this, all retired to their rooms for the night. Each retreat-participant had a room to himself, to be alone with God and himself.

 

The untraditional Salesian retreat for the leaders of the Mumbai province was a way to realize oneself and his calling to return to the ministry of the church, in a traditional Don Bosco way.

 

The coming PC 2013 and the GC 27 will benefit the Mumbai province to re-awaken the contemplative-in-action in every community member, to awaken our fidelity to Jesus in the Don Bosco way.

 

Long live Don Bosco, in our search and our quest to care and look after the youth of today like Don Bosco. May Don Bosco’s vision be fulfilled zealously!

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org