RAIGANJ — Twenty-six priests belonging to the Diocese of Asansol attended the first batch of the annual clergy retreat at Jeevan Dhara Retreat Centre in Raiganj from 21 to 25 September, a programme organised to strengthen priestly vocation and address pastoral challenges.
Focus on vocation, prayer and pastoral responsibility
The five-day retreat was led by Jesuit Fr. Thomas Kuzhivelly, director of the retreat centre, who guided participants through reflections intended to deepen their sense of calling and to foster continual personal conversion. Sessions examined themes such as God’s presence amid human weakness, the effects of sin on spiritual life, forgiveness and inner healing.
According to the organisers, the retreat treated the priest as "a pilgrim with a purpose," inviting each participant to re-examine personal mission in light of the Church’s pastoral needs. The programme combined communal and individual spiritual practices, with emphasis on prayer rooted in faith in Jesus Christ and on the pastoral responsibilities that accompany priesthood.
"A pilgrim with a purpose"
Daily schedules were structured around guided meditations, audio-visual reflections and periods of silence for introspection and discernment. Each priest took part in four meditations every day and had opportunities for one-on-one conversation with the retreat director. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was made available throughout the retreat.
- Participants: 26 priests from the Diocese of Asansol
- Venue: Jeevan Dhara Retreat Centre, Raiganj
- Dates: 21–25 September
- Director: Fr. Thomas Kuzhivelly (Jesuit)
- Concluding celebrant: Bishop Fulgence Tigga of Raiganj
Concluding liturgy and gratitude
The retreat concluded with an Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Fulgence Tigga of Raiganj. In his message, the bishop expressed his joy at being present for the closing Mass and offered the liturgy for the priests and for the intentions of the Diocese of Asansol. Fr. J. Peter formally thanked Fr. Kuzhivelly and the retreat centre community for their hospitality and support during the programme.
Organisers said the retreat aimed to renew commitment to deeper communion with Christ and to equip priests for their pastoral duties, particularly in contexts where clergy face spiritual and practical demands. The mix of communal prayer, individual meditation and sacramental ministry was intended to provide both consolation and renewed motivation for parish work and diocesan service.
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Guided meditations (4 daily) | Prayerful reflection and interior discernment |
| Audio-visual reflections | Stimulate theological and pastoral reflection |
| Personal prayer & silence | Interior renewal and self-examination |
| Sacrament of Reconciliation | Spiritual healing and reconciliation |
| Individual conversations with director | Personal guidance and pastoral counselling |
The retreat is part of the diocese’s ongoing effort to support its clergy spiritually and pastorally. Similar programmes, organisers said, help priests sustain ministry in parishes across urban and rural settings — including the industrial and culturally diverse landscape of Asansol and surrounding areas — where expectations on pastoral leaders are often high.
By the end of the programme, participants were reported to have renewed their commitment to personal conversion, deeper communion with Christ and dedicated service to the faithful. The retreat forms one component of clerical formation and accompaniment planned by the Diocese of Asansol for the year.
