AUXILIUM BANDEL: 58 sisters of our province filled with great thirst for God gathered at Auxilium Bandel for their Annual Spiritual Retreat, from 28 December - 04 January 2018. A renowned preacher Fr. Biji Thomas SDB, helped the retreatants to experience God from the various angle of their lives - prayer, evangelical council, Community living and mission, supporting his views purely from the Holy Bible. The retreatants were given a warm welcome by Provincial Rev. Sr. Rose Ezarath. In her introductory talk she boosted the spirit of the sisters quoting from Pope Francis “Our call is to seek the will of God “. Thus the sisters began to encounter the Lord firstly through a meaningful Eucharistic celebration. The theme rolled around these days of race was “for the greater glory of God”. Each morning dawned with a Eucharistic adoration, followed by the powerful prayers for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy men and women of the church were called upon to protect and deliver us from all evil. Fr. Biji in his first talk encouraged the retreatants to prepare for a good confession. This Sacrament indeed was a trustful meeting with our heavenly father where one experienced His forgiveness and the grace to live a holy life.

The limitations of our community life brought into light through fitting examples from Bible stories, parables and the life of Christ. Fr. Biji urged us to live in all sincerity and truthfulness. Never to justify oneself at the advantage of others. In all these things doing the will of God is the greatest. At the mercy hour the retreatants were helped to contemplate the Paschal mystery through well animated chaplet of Divine mercy, the Holy rosary and the way of the cross. These days of grace being with our beloved Lord helped us to renew and commit ourselves totally for the glory of God. They were days of transformation than just formation. The encounter with the Lord made us to be seekers and God givers and urged us to make the necessary ‘shifts’ and ‘U turn’ in our lives journey. At the end the retreatants were taken for a Picnic to a Santhal mission area (Sinet) run by the Salesian fathers. The sisters enjoyed themselves with various creative games and danced to the sound of the drum. Finally a good meal was served. Our sincere gratitude to Rev. Sr. Rose Ezarath our Provincial for her active and guiding presence in our midst and to Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil and the community for their hospitality and family spirit in hosting this great event.