The deeper the Root, the greater the Mission

BANDEL: “With unique God Experience, Towards Prophetic Religious life”, was the theme of the Annual Spiritual Retreat held at Auxilium Bandel from 03 - 10 January 2024. 50 Sisters from various communities of the province took an active part with the spirit of Refreshing, Rejuvenating and Renewing oneself. Rev. Fr. Austin Joy MSFSled the sisters to encounter Christ to live a consecrated life.
The Holy Retreat commenced with the introductory message and blessing of Provincial Sr. LeelammaParlliparambil, at 5.00 pm. Thereafter it was followed by the Holy Eucharistic Celebration at 6.30 pm.
Fr. Austin Joy presented the various challenges of our Religious Life and also offered the group the solution to overcome them. He said, "Whatever may happen in your life, there is an answer in the Holy Bible." He impartedto the group higher things - the treasures of our Religious Life.He dealt with numerous topics which led the retreatantsto deeper God's experience for the Prophetic Religious Life.Some of the topics were God’s call and anointing, serving the Lord with undivided heart, the common fall of God’s chosen ones, the power of the Word of God, the consequence of sin, salvation through Jesus, the way of treating God’s chosen ones, the power of praise and worship, how to live a blameless life, how to avoid the evil one, the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives etc.
Fr. Austinmade the group realize the power of consecration which is meant for others. He also imparted how to win the battle with the powerful sword; the ‘Word of God’. His witty and rhyming words like “every disappointment is an appointment with God” and ‘create memories and not injuries’ made the retreat interesting and fun-loving. After participating in this inspirational and vigorous life-giving preaching, the retreatants unanimously decide to serve the Lord with an undivided heart. After the retreat, the retreatants expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the preacher, the provincial and the community Sisters. It was one of the unique retreats for all the participants.