Metanoia: Youth Retreat in the Archdiocese of Calcutta

- Fr. Michael Biswas

Kolkata: 19th-20th October 2017 were the days of mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the youth of the city as they gathered for Metanoia: Charismatic Youth Retreat at Don Bosco School, Park Circus. Organized on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Catholic Charismatic Renewal; the theme for the retreat was ‘Changing Hearts, Changing Lives’. The retreat was organized by the Youth Commission of the Archdiocese in collaboration with Calcutta Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service (CCCRS), Emmaus Retreat Centre (ERC), Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), John Paul II’s Theology of the Body Messengers ( JTM), Young Christian Students (YCS) and Jesus Youth (JY). It was the largest Catholic youth gathering in Kolkata in recent times having more than 1400 youngsters from parishes and schools participating in the spirit filled event.

The day began with Praise & Worship led by Revelation and Jesus Youth combined worship team that brought the youth in the retreat disposition. The Inaugural Mass of the Holy Spirit was led by Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza and concelebrated by 11 priests. At the beginning of the Mass, Fr. Sandip Michael Biswas, the Youth Director, welcomed the Archbishop, concelebrants and Br. Jude Antoine, the preacher of the retreat, while the youth garlanded them with uttario. In his homily the Archbishop spoke on the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the youngsters.

The two days continued with six sessions loaded with the Word of God by Br. Jude Antoine, the preacher of the retreat from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with Praise & Worship in between the sessions. Br. Jude began with his personal testimony and how the Catholic youth are faced with different faith challenges today. His powerful preaching contained themes such as Trauma, God’s Love vs Human Love, Sin, Pornography, Purity, Effects of Media and Cyberspace, Cause of Violence in Youth, etc. After the sessions Br. Jude led the youth to adoration where he spoke on the love of Jesus. During the adoration on both days all the youth and students made their confessions for which more than 27 priests were there. The second day’s Praise & Worship was led by Desert Voice, the gospel band of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body Messengers. They made the youngsters dance with joy.

The concluding Eucharistic celebration with led by Fr. Augustine Mundakat, the Director of Emmaus Retreat Center. In his animated homily Fr. Augustine preached on the healing of the paralyzed man near the Pool in Jerusalem. After the communion, all the celebrants prayed for the infilling of the Holy Spirit and laid their hands on the youth and anointed them with the oil of chrism. The environment was charged with hymns to the Holy Spirit. As the youth raised their hands in worship; many were seen in tears.

At the end of the retreat, Fr. Michael, the Youth Director, thanked the Archbishop, the Golden Jubilee Core Committee, Fr. Dominic Gomes, Fr. A.C. Jose, Fr. Augustine, Fr. Rodney, Fr. Devraj, Fr. Bikash Mondal, the entire Organizing Committee for Metanoia especially Mr. Raymond Baptist, Mrs. Rosalind D’Cruz, Mr. Paul Jacob, Miss Meshal Mondal, Mr. Lawrence Biswas, Sr. Kareen and other M.C. Sisters, Worship Teams Revelation and Desert Voice, Youth bodies ICYM, YCS, JTM, JY,the sponsors, CCCRS volunteers, intercessory team and all the parish priests and heads of schools who send their youth and students.