On 29 May 2019, 44 FMA of INC Kolkata, set out for a picnic with the Lord. The bus number ABCDEF driven by Fr. Cletus D’Souza SDB (INB) was an amusing picnic for eight days. At the starting point, the journey seemed to be frightening because it was an inner journey. At the outset of the journey a few simple tips were given: ESP – eat well, sleep well and pray well. The first clarion call was to “Be soaked in the Lord and enjoy the picnic”. The principal agent would be the holy Spirit who would guide, to re-consider, re-launch, re-charge and renew in the course of time. Rev.3:20-22, Ex.3:5, Ps. 46:10 and 1Kings 19:9-14 would help to experience the land of stillness, silence and solitude.

The first day was a wake-up call: A- AWARENESS, to be aware of one’s thoughts, words and deeds, of one’s sinfulness and faults. For a greater self-awareness Lk. 15:11ff – to analyse one’s own status and to recognize the magnanimity of God’s love and forgiveness. The second day focussed on B- BALANCE, to maintain one’s poise, keeping the head, heart and hands in the right place. A clarion call: It is better to strive for creative fidelity than mere perseverance. The three vows (PCO) have to be lived with wows. The simple formula for living in wow is to choose simple living, prodigious love, and total surrender.

The third day’s journey focussed on C-CHRIST, centering on Christ: The Christ of fantasy, of history, of scripture, the saviour and the indwelling Christ. Towards dusk everyone discovered their most beloved, the meaning of their lives. They were challenged to be WORDy (Welcome the word, Open the word, Read the word, Daily) FMA.

Fourth day unfolded D-DESERT, the desert experience in the hustles and bustles of life, a day out with the Lord. Even though the weather condition did not support the journey, the retreatants were determined to undergo even the toughest experience. Most of them really made it possible, few others went half way through and others had a desert journey under the same roof, alone with the alone. By 5pm all returned to their abode, fully contented. The meeting point at the Eucharist was unique and everyone was determined to be his witnesses in the world.

The fifth day was a day in with the E-EUCHARIST. The Eucharist, the source and summit of every Christian, energised and activated their faith. Whole day they gazed at the beloved of their life and thanked him for his tremendous love. During the holy Eucharist, the three parts of the Eucharist, sorry, story and glory was made very clear. A challenge was to be a MAD (Make A Difference) FMA and the four ‘L’ strategy, live, love, learn and leave a legacy, can nurture life in the community.

On the last day of the picnic with the Lord, the emphasis was on F-FAITH. Faith invites us to be faithful and faith-filled; awakening faith, maintaining faith and deepening the faith in order to live by faith. The dawn of 5 June brightened up as these travellers reached back after their rich experiential picnic, fully contented and they looked WORDy. After having recharged with the divine, they decided to be more human and more divine by being a WORDy fma as they get back to the Galilee of their daily life.

                                                                                                                                     The Retreatants