Salesian Chennai Province has organized a one-day retreat for all domestic staff members from the Salesian houses and parishes. The first batch of the domestic staff from all houses of the INM Province (i.e. all Salesian regions) came together for the one-day recollection at Don Bosco College, Karaikaal on February 23, 2024 (first batch) and the second batch of staff on March 03, 2024.  This retreat, themed around the profound concept of experiencing the love of God, provided participants with a transformative journey, encapsulating the essence of Abba Father Experience.

Fr. Maria Arul Raja, SJ (from Tindivanam) was the preacher of the day, leading the community in reflection with inter-religious perspectives and made retreatants involve in Parable of the Prodigal Son using the method of debate between Younger Son, Elder Son and Father of the Lukan parable (for the first batch of staff).

One of the pivotal moments of the retreat was, participants immersing themselves in the nurturing love of Blessed Mother Mary. Through moving anecdotes, prayers and visual songs, Fr. Raja, illuminated the path to experiencing the unconditional love symbolized by the Divine Mother. Drawing upon the biblical teachings, such as Luke 1:28, he said, ‘Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” Participants were encouraged to recognize and embrace the encompassing love of Mother Mary.

Fr. Jesudoss SDB (Director-Deepagam) also brought participants (of second batch of staff) into the spiritual realm through the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son. Drawing inspiration from Luke 15:11–32, he guided the participants through the narrative of forgiveness, redemption and the boundless love of the Heavenly Father. He quoted \1 John 3:1 - “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we can be called children of God! And that is what we are!” He emphasized the depth of the Father’s love to bask in its richness and internalize the truth of our identity as beloved children of God.

Fr. Jesudoss celebrated the mass for the community who later embarked on pilgrimage to Velankanni Shrine in their regional groups. The trip to Velankanni served as a completion of retreat for all involved, fostering profound reflection, inter-connection and self-renewal. It was not merely a journey of physical pilgrimage, but a deep exploration where participants were invited to experience the boundless love of God in all its manifestations.

On returning back to their respective Salesian regions, participants came together again, on the way at Kazhiappanallur-Tharangambadi before departing to their homes for a get together in the late evening. Over 175 domestic staff (first batch) and 200 (second batch) were arranged for this Lenten recollection and pilgrimage.

The togetherness helped the participants to know each other across different Salesian houses/institutes. The one-day recollections were arranged and provided with by Rev. Fr. Edwin Vasanthan (Economer) and the Salesian community at Thamanangudi-Karaikaal; Fr. Jesudoss (Director-Deepagam) animated the liturgical celebrations of the Recollection; Fr. Vincent Prabu (Jawadhi Hills community) coordinated the travel conveyances for the staff.