Media Release

Puttur, Mar 26: To commemorate the Year of Youth 2019, ICYM and YCS St Paul eastern deanery, here in collaboration with ICYM and YCS, Mai De Deus Church, here on Sunday March 24 organised a youth retreat for the youth of the deanery at Mai De Deus Church, Puttur.

The retreat was led by Fr Robert Dsouza - principal, Lourdes Central School, Bejai along with Blue Angels Choir, Mangaluru.

The retreat commenced with a solemn procession from the church premises to the entrance of the church. As a symbol of total surrender and faithfulness to God, a huge cross was carried by the youth and brought to the sanctuary. This was followed by a prayer of the Holy Crucificx recited by the youth with great devotion, united with the passion of Christ.

The eucharistic celebration began with melodious music and hymns. Fr Robert Dsouza celebrated the holy eucharistic celebration. In his sermon, he emphasized and encouraged the youth to take up every opportunity to establish friendship with one another It is a time to set aside the most active, most vibrant and most productive time in their lives to share the good news with others. The youth had come forward with lots of anxieties, intentions, hopes, desires.

After a short interval, the eucharistic adoration was conducted and various intentions, needs of the youth were brought before the eucharist. All the youth were called to pray for each other and all their needs. Finally, as an external sign of purification, holy water was sprinkled on the youth and all were blessed by laying hands on them.

Fr Alfred J Pinto - vicar forane, St Paul eastern deanery and parish priest, Mai De Deus Church solemnly blessed the gathering. Jason Leroy Pereira - diocesan youth president, ICYM Mangaluru diocese interacted with the youth and appealed for their constant support to make Year of Youth a successful one. All the youth expressed their happiness for the retreat. It was a wonderful opportunity for the young people to learn through bonding and grow in their faith.

Fr Peter Gonsalves - parish priest, Holy Cross Church, Bellare.

Fr Anil Roshan Lobo - director, YCS - St Paul eastern deanery and parish priest, St Rita Church, Panja, Fr Prashanth Fernandes (OFM Cap) - parish priest, St Antony Church, Bannur were present and specially prayed for the youth.

Towards the end, Fr Praveen Dsouza - director, ICYM St Paul eastern deanery and assistant parish priest, Mai De Deus Church Puttur thanked Fr Robert for enlightening the youth with spiritual divinity, help them experience the love of our saviour Jesus Christ along with Blue Angels Choir, Mangaluru for their melodious voices in spreading divinity and the gathering for making this youth retreat a blessed one.

A total of 220 youth were present at the retreat.