Khandwa: The Khandwa Diocesan Youth Commission’s three-day retreat, “Vardaan” (Blessing), held from October 18 to 20 at St. Theresa of Child Jesus Church, Chiklia, became a vibrant hub of spiritual awakening for 390 young Catholics from across the diocese. Designed to rekindle faith and inspire a sense of mission, the retreat offered participants a transformative journey of self-discovery, prayer, and renewal in a world often filled with distraction and doubt.
Under the guiding theme of Vardaan a blessing for life and faith the retreat encouraged youth to confront personal struggles, embrace God’s mercy, and rediscover their calling as witnesses of Christ’s love. A team of passionate speakers and animators, including Sr. Ann Mary Thomas MSMI, Sr. Rini Lawrence MSMI, Sr. Jancy Rosa MSMI, Ms. Twinkle Joy, and Mr. Jiffin, led sessions that combined testimony, guidance, and interactive engagement. They created an open and supportive environment where participants could express themselves honestly, process emotional wounds, and deepen their relationship with God.
The heart of Vardaan lay in its rich spiritual practices. Daily Eucharistic celebrations, moments of adoration, and opportunities for confession drew participants into intimate encounters with Christ. Creative exercises, such as writing letters to Jesus or performing symbolic acts of surrender, invited youth to lay down burdens and open their hearts fully. Scenes from The Chosen deepened personal reflection, while group activities and praise sessions strengthened fellowship, nurturing a sense of unity and shared purpose.
The retreat also addressed pressing moral and personal challenges confronting young people today. Sessions tackled subjects often left unspoken in faith settings including pornography, abortion, and addiction with honesty and compassion. Participants were encouraged to confront sin not with shame, but with hope, healing, and forgiveness, reinforcing the liberating message of God’s love.
Bishop Augustine M., celebrating the Holy Eucharist during the retreat, reminded the youth of their sacred dignity and the importance of embodying discipleship in daily life, both within families and in the digital sphere. In the concluding Eucharist, Fr. Thomas Polkal, Dean of Kargone, exhorted the participants to become “living blessings,” radiating Christ’s light in their communities and beyond.
The transformative impact of Vardaan was evident in the joy, tears, and renewed faith of participants. Many described it as a life-altering encounter that replaced fear with courage, guilt with grace, and confusion with clarity. Beyond being a spiritual event, Vardaan emerged as a movement of hope, reminding young people that they are valued, loved, and never alone in their journey of faith.
Through Vardaan, the Khandwa Diocese has ignited a renewed spirit among its youth one that seeks God boldly, loves fearlessly, and shares His blessings with the world.