Creating hope-filled future: Youth gather for Magis in Mundgod

On : 2023-10-31

Over 240 young students from various institutions from Karnataka came together for Magis programme in Loyola PU College of Mundgod Jesuit mission for three days on October 27-29. The event was inaugurated by Bishop Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Belgaum. He was given a local traditional welcome. The theme for this year’s Magis was ‘Creating hope-filled future’.

In his message, Bishop Fernandes called upon the youth to nurture unwavering faith in the Divine. "Prayer is an essential component of our lives. Hence, I urge you to always makes sure that you are in touch with the Divine," he said.

During the course of the three day programme, the five pillars of Magis were given emphasis: morning prayer, eucharist, immersion, Magis circle and examen. Br T. K. George and team helped the participants to the divine through charismatic prayer.

Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province Fr Dionysius Vaz was present on the second day. In his message, Fr Vaz encouraged the youth to move away from a "selfie culture" and move towards a deeper awareness of themselves and their reality. He urged the young attendees to embrace their true selves and motivated them to dedicate themselves to diligent study, with the aim of becoming exceptional individuals in their future endeavours. 

Sr Anita D’Souza UFS and Isabella Xavier, founder of Sadan Trust, gave their testimonies. Speaking about the Magis experience, a participant, Salina, from the Siddi community, said that Magis experience greatly inspired her, as she discovered her true self, and after the retreat led by Br T. K. George, she felt deeply touched and moved.

Boaz Michael, another participant, who hails from Bidar district, said that Magis had positively influenced his life. This was his third Magis event. He mentioned that the action songs had a genuinely healing effect on him, and the hands-on experience of working on a farm during an immersion activity made him realise the challenges farmers faced while working tirelessly to provide us with food.

Fr Melvyn Lobo SJ, superior of Mundgod mission and Fr Joel Fernandes SJ, Karnataka province youth director, were also present. Vencilla Fernandes and Fr Joyson Vas SJ trained the volunteers of the event.

- Viola Reshma Lewis