MAG+S 2022 organised at Loyola College, Manvi

On : 2022-10-13

MAG+S 2022, an Ignatian immersion programme,  was inaugurated at Loyola College, Manvi on October 4, by Bishop Henry D'Souza of Bellary diocese. The gathering of Ignatian youth drew nearly 300 pilgrims from all across the state with the focus primarily being on participants from pre university colleges. Each group was animated and accompanied by a Jesuit scholastic which was a unique feature of this MAG+S.

The five pillars of Mag+s were creatively brought out with morning meditations and Mag+s circles conducted by the scholastics; a detailed history and immersion into the Pannur-Manvi mission led by Fr Leo Pereira SJ, the superior; a creative nature mass celebrated by Fr Melwyn D'Cunha SJ, and the graceful laying of hands upon the pilgrims animated by the fathers from the community along with Fr Maxim Rasquinha SJ.

For the Ignatian immersion proper, Fr Don Prem SJ grouped the activities into different themes and while some went for ecological exposure, others interacted with the labourers in the cotton fields, women from self-help groups etc.

Another highlight of the immersion was a cleanliness drive done at the Loyola College bus stop where pilgrims gave a facelift to the public spot in a span of three hours. The social message painted at the bus stop read ‘it takes many hands to build, but just one to destroy’. Fr Maxim Dias SJ and Sch Reuell SJ (DAR) accompanied the pilgrims to see everything new in Christ in and through the five pillars of Mag+s and in all the activities.

On the final day on October 6, Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, provincial, addressed the congregation. Before leading into the concluding liturgy, he urged the pilgrims to pursue four life values: to be original without losing one’s identity; to be free without losing one’s sense of responsibility; to love without losing one’s ability to sacrifice and to be media educated without being addicted.

Perina, district manager of minority section, Koppal and Prakash Babu, a Hindu convert, gave their testimony about how God had held them and continues to lead them by the hand despite storms in life. The gathering had a lot to reflect upon, and for a few days there was no dearth of inspiration, echoing the words of Ignatius ‘if he/she can - why can't I’. Fr Joyson Vas SJ, the North Karnataka youth coordinator, planned and made the Ignatian experience possible.

Scholastics in different stages of formation came together and executed different plans and programmes and the Jesuit community at Hombelaku, Manvi was there to interact with the youngsters.

- Joyson Vas SJ