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Chennai (India). The recently concluded Synod on “Young people, the faith and Vocational Discernment” echoes in Tamil Nadu, India, in the province of St. Thomas the Apostles-Chennai. The three-day Youth Charismatic Convention from November 30 to December 2, 2018, organized by the Salesian Sisters of Chennai Province and held at Auxilium College, Vellore, was indeed a mega event and for the 1060 young girls from our institutions it was a deep spiritual experience of staying with Jesus. The Youth Convention with the theme: “Stay with us Lord” (Lk. 24: 29) is a small but significant step towards making the young people aware that they too can attain holiness. The event was animated jointly by the ‘Youth United for Christ’ and Catholic Charismatic Renewal Group, Chennai, a team of 30 persons.
The participants of the convention comprised of the catholic students of the province from class ten to teacher training and post graduate courses, accompanied by 60 FMA. The convention was inaugurated at 6.30 pm on the 30th with the welcome address by Sr. Madalaimuthu Lidwin Mary, the Youth Pastoral Coordinator of the Province. Rev. Dr. Soundararaju Periyanayagam, SDB, D.D, Bishop of Vellore, invoked God’s blessings on all the young people and Sr. Lazar Maria Nirmala, Provincial of Chennai, encouraged them to have an intense God experience. Sr. Amali Alexander, General coordinator gave the orientation talk after which the Animation Team took over.
The young people participated actively in the convention. Each day began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The input sessions were highly instructive. Various prayer moments nourished the fervor of the young. Youth Counselors were available all through the day for those in need and every one profited from receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament was a moment of great healing for body and soul and many of them testified to it.
The climax of the Christ Experience was the laying of hands and praying over each participant. Many of them received the Anointing of the Holy Spirit and received new life and energy in Jesus. They enjoyed the indwelling of the Spirit and His presence. The multi spiritual packages paved way to spiritual growth and transformation. Every session kindled and rejuvenated their spirit to long for holiness and to live a life centered on Christ.
The mega event concluded with each participant receiving a copy of the book on St. Mary Dominica Mazzarello, ‘She the First Woman’, translated into Tamil by Sr. Isabella Joseph.
The three-day experience created a great impact in the life of every participant, the Y- Generation and enabled them to taste inner joy and gratitude, elevating their minds and hearts to God, spurring them to live a life based on the Word of God, and strive towards holiness in this world.
(Sr. Madalaimuthu Lidwin Mary INM)
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