The Annual Spiritual Retreat was held from 27 December 2018 – 3 January 2019 at Auxilium Convent School, Bandel.  The retreat preacher was the Rector of Salesian College, Sonada Rev. Fr. Vargehese Kalluvachal.  The introductory talk of Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath was based on having a deep experience with God and she highlighted the Art 49 of our Constitutions which speaks about the attitude of conversion and penance.  During her good night talks she stressed on the community and apostolic life as she read the reflection given by Pope Francis.

The theme of the retreat was “Renewal of the Religious”.  It was developed gradually with the following sub topics: Emotional Wounds, Forgiveness, Beatitudes, Religiosity, Evangelical Vows, Community life, Prophetic Apostolate, Prayer life, Sense of humour, Role of Mary and Eucharist.  After every talk Fr. Varghese put some relevant questions to reflect on.  Before concluding the retreat participants were asked to make a synthesis of the talk.  The preacher led the group from Good Friday to the Easter Sunday of our life.  It was time of introspection of ourselves and to know the mask we wear to cover emotional wounds.  Some of the insights we received were: we are called to be learners of Christ and change ourselves not others, to be like Christ we need to have the attitude of Jesus to make beatitudes as Be-attitudes, live religious vows with new dimensions in the communities, to be available at all times and to be Prophetic Religious to Announce, Renounce and Denounce. Fr. Varghese kept us active and joyful through his humorous jokes which meant that we should become a person of humour and keep our community a happy one.

After the retreat we had our moment together at Banabithi Park, Baidhabati. The vibrant community game was animated first by the provincial followed by the six groups brought joy in everyone.  The time of being together was brought to finale with a delicious meal.

The following day after the retreat was spent listening to the provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath. She offered some reminders to the group on how to form a joyful community and to carry out a fruitful apostolate also shared some information about the visit of Visiting Councilor Rev. Sr. Lucy Rose Ozhukayil.

Finally, all the retreats congratulated Sr. Teresa Theruvamkunnel with their melodious singing for having completed 60 years of her Religious Profession and Sr. Provincial felicitated her.