The Annual Retreat of the FMA Sisters of Kolkata province was held from 29 May to 5 June 2026 at Auxilium Convent, Kurseong. The retreat was attended by 40 participants, two Sisters from Guwahati Province, one from Shillong Province, and one from Rome. It was a grace-filled time of prayer, silence, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Before the retreat began, Sr. Leelamma, the Provincial, encouraged the sisters to use this sacred time to deepen their relationship with God and renew their commitment to their vocation and mission.

The retreat was preached by Fr. Sam Thomas, a well-known Vincentian retreat preacher from Emmaus retreat center, Kolkata. The theme of the retreat was “Intimacy with the Lord.” He emphasized that the heart of consecrated life is a personal relationship with Jesus, nurtured through prayer, meditation on the Word of God, devotion to the Holy Rosary, and openness to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Drawing inspiration from biblical figures, especially Peter, he highlighted the transforming power of encountering Christ. And one of the most profound reflections of the retreat focused on the Journey to Emmaus. Fr. Sam explained how the two disciples, burdened by disappointment and confusion, encountered the Risen Lord on their journey. This passage became a powerful invitation for the participants to recognize Christ’s presence in their own lives, especially in moments of uncertainty and discouragement. He also stressed that after encountering the Risen Lord, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, the place where the community of believers was gathered. Specially, the preacher invited the sisters to imitate the Emmaus disciples by continually returning to the Lord, remaining at His feet in prayer, and allowing His Word and Eucharistic presence to transform their lives. Just as the disciples were sent back renewed and strengthened, the sisters too were called to return to their communities and ministries with renewed zeal and conviction.

The evening sessions featured inspiring testimonies from lay missionaries and evangelizers from India and abroad. Their experiences of sharing the Gospel in challenging situations encouraged the sisters to deepen their missionary spirit and commitment to evangelization. The retreat concluded on 5 June 2026 with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration. The sisters expressed their gratitude to Fr. Sam for his spiritual guidance, to Sr. Leelamma for her encouragement, and to the community Sisters and supporting staff for their hospitality and support. The retreat was a profound experience of renewal, helping the sisters grow in intimacy with the Lord and return to their mission with renewed faith, enthusiasm, and love for Christ and His Gospel.