‘BELOVED’ Youth Retreat in Bangalore Ignites Faith, Healing and Missionary Discipleship

Bangalore, 1 April 2025 – The Redemptorists in Bangalore hosted a two-day Lenten youth retreat, ‘Beloved’, on 29 and 30 March, offering young people a profound encounter with God’s love through worship, teachings, and personal reflection. The approximately 60 retreatants from 6 nearby Bangalore parishes were accommodated at Nava Spoorthi Kendra, Redemptorist Retreat Centre, for the two days of the retreat.

The retreat featured vibrant praise and worship led by the Holy Redeemer Church Worship Team, along with action songs and deeply insightful sessions. Fr. Sanjay Kujur, C.Ss.R. spoke on the transformative power of Scripture, urging the youth to immerse themselves in the Word of God. He highlighted passages that reveal God's immense love and how each person is deeply precious in His eyes.

Fr. Sandeep Menezes, C.Ss.R. emphasised Christ’s constant presence in every aspect of life. He spoke about sin, reconciliation, and the joy of returning to God, drawing from the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son to illustrate the Father's boundless mercy.

Participants engaged in group discussions, sharing personal experiences of God’s companionship throughout their lives. Mrs. Diana Mascarenhas from the ICPE Mission led a session on inner healing, encouraging the youth to surrender past burdens to Jesus. She urged them to focus on God’s truth rather than societal labels or self-doubt.

A powerful adoration service on both days touched many hearts, fostering deep spiritual healing. The retreat also featured an interactive Q&A session in the evening of the first day that addressed contemporary challenges and guided the youth in light of the Church’s teachings. Many received the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the second day, thus renewing their desire to grow in virtue and deepening their commitment to their faith journey.

The retreat included heartfelt testimonies, with participants sharing how they felt renewed and embraced by God's love. Many youths also shared their personal testimonies, recounting how God has worked in their lives. The Missionary Sisters of Mary of Perpetual Help partnered with the Redemptorists in organising this inspiring event.

Through ‘Beloved', young hearts were reminded that in God’s love, they are truly cherished and never alone. The retreat ended with a Mass of Commissioning in which they were encouraged to bring practical transformation to their lives back at home, at work, and in the Church as missionary disciples of Jesus brining hope into the world.

By Catholic Connect Reporter