A SPIRIT-FILLED RETREAT AT ST. JOSEPH TRAINING CENTRE, LONAVLA

A SPIRIT-FILLED RETREAT AT ST. JOSEPH TRAINING CENTRE - LONAVLA.

  From July 16th to 22nd, 2025 the FMA Candidates, Aspirants, and Postulants gathered at St. Joseph’s Training Centre, Lonavla, for a retreat filled with prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth. The retreat opened with an inspiring talk by our beloved Mother Provincial, Sr. Meenakshi D’Silva. Sr. Hilda Braganza, FMA led the sessions with creativity and depth, drawing us into reflections rooted in Scripture, Salesian Spirituality, the lives of the saints, and above all, the faith-filled “yes” of Mother Mary—a shining example of trust and surrender to God’s will. Special days were set apart during the retreat: 17 July: Day to pray for Vocations; 18 July: Day to pray for our Departed, 22 July: Day of Reconciliation. On the final day of the retreat, we held a heartfelt thanksgiving in honor of Mother Provincial Sr. Meenakshi D’Silva, Sr. Hilda Braganza, and Sr. Josephine Fernandes, our Superior. We also thanked all our Sisters, friends, and our house helper for their loving support.     

  The auspicious day for all of us was July 24, the Aspirants solemnly received medals during the morning prayer presented to them by our dear Mother Provincial. During a momentous Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr. Xavier Devdas, SDB, Sr. Meenaskshi handed the postulants medal to us. We will always treasure this medal of our Blessed Mother received and entrust ourselves to her. We were especially blest by the joyful presence of our Sisters of Auxilium Convent and Ashish Bhavan. Their participation added richness and warmth to our celebration, making it a beautiful expression of our Salesian Family Spirit. We thank God for this time of grace and all who supported us in this journey of faith and commitment.               

  We were especially blest by the joyful presence of our Sisters of Auxilium Convent and Ashish Bhavan. Their participation added richness and warmth to our celebration, making it a beautiful expression of our Salesian Family Spirit. We thank God for this time of grace and all who supported us in this journey of faith and commitment.