Annual Retreat to Capuchin Friars of Infant Jesus Delegation, Nagaland-Manipur”
2025ರ ಜುಲೈ 9 ರಿಂದ 13ರ ವರೆಗೆ ನಾಗಲ್ಯಾಂಡ್-ಮಣಿಪುರದ ಇನ್ಫಂಟ್ ಜೀಸ್ ಕ್ಯಾಪುಚಿನ್ ಸಮೂಹದ ಧರ್ಮಗುರುಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಪುನಶ್ಚೇತನ ಧ್ಯಾನಸಭೆ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಈ ಧ್ಯಾನಸಭೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಧರ್ಮೋಪದೇಶಕ ಫಾದರ್ ಟೋಮ್ SDB ಅವರು ನಡಿಸಿದರು. ಧ್ಯಾನ ಸಭೆಯು ಜುಲೈ 9ರ ಸಂಜೆ 8:45ಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಯಿತು.
ಈ ಧ್ಯಾನವು ಪವಿತ್ರಾತ್ಮನ ದಿವ್ಯ ಚಾಲನೆ, ಆತ್ಮಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ, ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ, ಕ್ಷಮೆ, ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಜೀವನ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆಯ ವಿವಿಧ ಆಯಾಮಗಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿತ್ತು. ಪ್ರತಿ ದಿನ ಎರಡು ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪವಿತ್ರ ಬಲಿ ವೇಳೆ ಧರ್ಮೋಪದೇಶ ಜರುಗಿತು. ಇದು ಎಲ್ಲ ಧರ್ಮಗುರುಗಳಿಗೂ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕವಾಗಿ ಸ್ಪೂರ್ತಿದಾಯಕವಾಗಿತ್ತು.
ಫಾದರ್ ಟೋಮ್ ಅವರು ಯೋಹಾನ 14:26 ಅನ್ನು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಿದರು:
“ಪಿತೃನು ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳುಹಿಸುವ ಸಹಾಯಕನು, ಪವಿತ್ರಾತ್ಮನು, ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ನಿಮಗೆ ಬೋಧಿಸಿ ನನ್ನ ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಮಗೆ ನೆನಪುಗೊಳಿಸುವನು.”
ಪವಿತ್ರಾತ್ಮನು ನಮ್ಮ ಧರ್ಮಜೀವಿತದ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶಕ ಮತ್ತು ಶಕ್ತಿಯ ಮೂಲ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಪುನಃ ಪುನಃ ನೆನಪಿಸಿದರು.
ಕೀರ್ತನೆಗಳು 147:3 ಹೇಳುತ್ತದೆ: “ಅವರು ಭಿನ್ನಹೃದಯರ ಗಾಯಗಳನ್ನು ಗುಣಪಡಿಸಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಬಂಧಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.”
ಫಾದರ್ ಟೋಮ್ ಅವರು ಕ್ಷಮೆಯ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಿ, ಧರ್ಮಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಳೆಯ ನೋವು, ಅಪಮಾನ ಮತ್ತು ಅಹಂಕಾರವನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ನಿಜವಾದ ಶಾಂತಿ ಸಾಧಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಆಮಂತ್ರಿಸಿದರು.
ಧ್ಯಾನಸಭೆಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿ ಅವರು “P.R.A.Y.E.R” ಎಂಬ ಶಬ್ದದ ಪ್ರತಿ ಅಕ್ಷರದ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಿದರು:
• P – Presence of God (ದೇವರ ಸನ್ನಿಧಾನ) – ಭಕ್ತಿಗೀತಗಳು 46:10: “ನಾನು ದೇವನೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಯಿರಿ.”
• R – Recollection (ಆಂತರಿಕ ಸಮಾಧಾನ)
• A – Attitude (ಮನೋಭಾವ) – ವಿನಯ, ನಂಬಿಕೆ, ಆತ್ಮಸಮರ್ಪಣೆ
• Y – Yearning (ಆಸುಪಾಸು, ಆಸೆ) – ಭಕ್ತಿಗೀತಗಳು 42:1: “ಹರಿಣದಂತೆ ನೀರಿಗಾಗಿ ಬಡಕುತ್ತಿರುವಂತೆ…”
• E – Enlightenment (ಪ್ರಭೋದನೆ) – ದೇವರ ವಾಕ್ಯವು ನಮಗೆ ಬೆಳಕು ನೀಡಬೇಕು
• R – Resolution (ನಿಶ್ಚಯ) – ಹೊಸ ಬದುಕಿಗೆ ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ ಮಾಡುವುದು
ಫಿಲಿಪ್ಪಿಯದವರಿಗೆ 2:3-4 ಪ್ರಕಾರ:
“ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥವಿಲ್ಲದೇ, ದ್ವೇಷವಿಲ್ಲದೇ, ಪರರಿಗಿಂತ ತಾವು ಕೆಳಗಿರಬೇಕು ಎಂಬ ಮನೋಭಾವದಿಂದ ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಿ… ಪರನ ಲಾಭವನ್ನು ನೋಡಬೇಕು.”
ಅವರು ಧರ್ಮಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಹಜವಾಗಿ ಬರುವ ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥತೆಯಿಂದ ಎಚ್ಚರವಾಗಿ ಇರಬೇಕೆಂದು ಬೋಧಿಸಿದರು.
ಲೂಕ 1:38 ಅನ್ನು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಿ:
“ನಾನು ಕರ್ತನ ದಾಸಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ; ಅವನ ಮಾತಿನಂತೆ ನನಗೆ ಆಗಲಿ.”
ಫಾದರ್ ಟೋಮ್ ಅವರು ಮರಿಯಮ್ಮನ ಆಜ್ಞಾಪಾಲಕತ್ವ, ವಿನಯ, ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಮಧ್ಯಸ್ಥಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಧರ್ಮಜೀವನದ ಮಾದರಿಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರತಿಪಾದಿಸಿದರು.
ಈ ಧ್ಯಾನಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹದಿನಾರು ಕ್ಯಾಪುಚಿನ್ ಸಹೋದರುಗಳು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದರು.
Annual Retreat to Capuchin Friars of Infant Jesus Delegation, Nagaland-Manipur”
The Capuchin friars of the Infant Jesus Delegation, Nagaland-Manipur, experienced a profound spiritual renewal during their annual retreat held from July 9 to 13, 2025. The retreat was animated by Fr. Tom, SDB, a preacher known for his deep insights and spiritual zeal. The retreat commenced on the evening of July 9 at 8:45 PM with an introductory talk that set the tone for the days that followed.
The retreat, hosted at Capuchin House Dimapur, brought together friars from various houses across the region. It was a time of grace, silence, and reflection, offering a much-needed spiritual pause in the midst of pastoral and missionary commitments.
A Journey of Interior Healing and Prayer
Fr. Tom’s talks were rich in Scripture, reflection, and practical spirituality. He addressed various aspects of religious life, with a focus on healing and transformation. One of the prominent themes of the retreat was “The Holy Spirit”. Drawing inspiration from John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things,” Fr. Tom reminded the friars of the Holy Spirit’s constant presence and active role in their vocation.
Another central theme was healing and forgiveness, with a call to introspect and let go of past wounds. Referencing Psalm 147:3, “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds,” Fr. Tom led the friars to surrender areas of hurt, pride, and unforgiveness in prayer. He stressed that genuine healing begins with forgiveness, both receiving and giving it freely.
Prayer: A Sacred Encounter with God
The retreat emphasized the essence of prayer, not merely as a routine, but as a dynamic encounter with God. Fr. Tom beautifully expanded the acronym P.R.A.Y.E.R., offering a deep meditation on each aspect:
• P – Presence of God: Cultivating an awareness of God in every moment. (Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”)
• R – Recollection: Bringing back a scattered mind into God’s focus.
• A – Attitude: The heart’s disposition – humility, trust, and openness.
• Y – Yearning: A deep thirst for God, like the deer that longs for streams of water (Psalm 42:1).
• E – Enlightenment: Letting God’s Word enlighten the soul and guide decisions.
• R – Resolution: Making firm decisions to amend life and grow in virtue.
Each morning began with a reflective talk, Eucharistic celebration and each evening concluded with the Adoration to Blessed Sacrament, where the preacher continued the day’s theme in his talk. The depth of spiritual insight offered during talks and Mass was both challenging and uplifting.
Combatting Selfishness and Embracing Community
Fr. Tom did not shy away from addressing the issue of selfishness in religious life. Referring to Philippians 2:3–4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” he emphasized the importance of selfless service and community living. He reminded the friars that their religious commitment calls for a life of total gift, not comfort.
Mary: Model of Discipleship and Intercession
One of the deeply moving moments of the retreat was the reflection on Mother Mary. Fr. Tom presented Mary as the perfect model of surrender, humility, and intercession. Quoting Luke 1:38, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” he called on the friars to imitate her trust and obedience to God’s will.
The preacher highlighted Mary’s silent yet powerful role at key moments of salvation history—from the Annunciation to Calvary—and encouraged the friars to invoke her daily in their ministries.
Final Day: Living a Life of Gratitude
The retreat concluded with a powerful message on gratitude. Fr. Tom invited the friars to recognize God’s abundant blessings in their lives and ministries. Reflecting on 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” he urged everyone to cultivate a grateful heart, even amid trials and uncertainties.
The final day ended with a solemn Eucharistic celebration on July 13, where the friars renewed their commitment and left the retreat filled with joy, peace, and spiritual vigour.
Attendees and Locations
The retreat witnessed participation from several friars representing different fraternities:
• St. Clare Friary, Akuluto: Fr. Stephen D’Souza & Fr. James Furtado
• Capuchin House, Dimapur: Fr Isaac Baptist, Fr. John Peter and Fr Gerald Veigas
• Infant Jesus Friary, Kuhuboto: Fr. Brayan D’Souza & Fr. Roshan Sequeira
• St. Francis Friary, Lazami: Fr. Paul Inashe & Fr. Melvin Anthony Pradeep
• St. Thomas Friary, Tamlu: Fr. Justine Sumi & Fr. David Sale
• St. Francis of Assisi Friary, Nongdum: Fr. Manoj D’Souza, Fr. Roshan Pereira & Fr. Christopher
• St. Joseph Friary, Choithar: Fr. Yesudas & Fr. Anil Kumar
Their presence and active participation made the retreat more enriching, fostering fraternity and deeper communion among the friars.
Conclusion: A Time of Renewal and Grace
The five-day retreat was not just a time of silence and prayer but a true encounter with the Lord. It reminded every friar of the beauty of their vocation, the power of forgiveness, the strength of prayer, and the joy of fraternity. The retreat, steeped in biblical reflections and personal sharing, will remain a spiritual landmark for the delegation.
As they return to their respective missions, the words of Romans 12:11 echo in their hearts: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” With renewed hearts and minds, the Capuchin friars continue their journey of love, service, and discipleship.
Report by Fr Stephen Dsouza, Capuchin
