Youth participants of the Annual Youth Retreat at Damra Parish.
The spiritual youth retreat gathered more than 200 members of Damra Parish under the guidance of Fr. D. Anthony Anbukumar. From the evening of September 28 to the morning of October 2, the participants entered a journey of formation, prayer, and discernment. Each day, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, they immersed ourselves in the rhythm of God’s presence, weaving together personal prayer, communal worship, and reflective teaching.
The retreat centred on two profound Scriptural themes: “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12) and “Rooted in Christ, bearing fruit for the world” (John 15:5). The first theme affirmed the dignity, energy, and gift of young people in the Church. It challenged us to overcome doubts about youthfulness and to step forward as witnesses who carry Christ’s light into family, school, and community life. The second theme anchored our growth in an intimate relationship with Jesus. By remaining rooted in Him, we learned to bear lasting fruit—acts of love, mercy, and service that nourish others and transform our world.
Throughout the retreat, Fr. Antony invited the youth to a practical spirituality: daily Scripture meditation, Eucharistic adoration, communal prayer, and opportunities for confession and reconciliation. The schedule busy yet purposeful helped them cultivate a discipline of listening to the Spirit, praying together, and applying the Gospel to everyday circumstances. The overall ambience was one of gentle encouragement: a space where youth could ask honest questions, discern their vocations, and encounter God’s call within the realities of modern life.
Many Youngsters felt awakened and hopeful. “The sessions helped us distinguish genuine values from passing trends and inspired us to live with integrity, courage, and charity. The retreat rekindled a desire to witness Christ’s love at home, in school, and in our circles of friends”.
Few of the elders expressed that they witnessed a fresh energy among the youth, alongside the wisdom born of years of faith. “Their enthusiasm reminded us of the promise of the Gospel age after age. We prayed with them and for them, trusting that their authentic zeal will bless the parish and the wider community”.
Fr. Francis Kalariparampil, the Parish priest in his concluding message exhorted the youngsters to the good use of mobile devices in the age of AI. He said that they should be guided by holiness, responsibility, and compassion. Use technology to build truth, deepen your faith, and serve others, not to hurt or divide. Guard your attention: resist endless scrolling, verify what you share, and protect the vulnerable online. Let your digital life reflect the love of Christ, practice honesty, kindness, and stewardship of your time, so that every message, post, and call leads you closer to God and strengthens the human family.
In ending, the retreat accomplished its aim: to re-root our youth in Christ and to mobilize them to bear fruit for the world. May the grace poured out during these days sustain us as we continue to grow in faith, hope, and love, being instruments of God’s kingdom in our parish.
News Courtesy: Fr. Francis Kalariparampil SDB
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