Devotional News

Bengaluru, January 31, 2025: The Karnataka Regional Service of Communion (KRSC) and Logos Retreat Centre jointly organized a charismatic retreat and seminar on healing, deliverance, anointing, and exorcism at the Logos Retreat Centre, Babuspalya, Bengaluru, from January 27th, 9:00 a.m., to the 30th, 3:00 p.m.

Rev. Fr George Poonattu VC, Superior of Logos Retreat Centre, inaugurated the retreat with his inaugural address.

Retreat and seminar led by Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., Fr. Prince S.J., Bro. Cherian Ramapuram, and Fr. Franklin D'Souza. Bro. Allwyn Stewart and Sis. Josephine helped with the praise and worship.

Day 1, Monday, January 27, 2025:

Retreat began at 9:00 a.m. with praise and worship led by Bro. Allwyn. Then Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., introduced the retreat's theme. Fr. Franklin D'Souza led Holy Eucharist and preached on the theme "Formation of a Right Conscience," basing his teaching on Mark 6:14-29. At 3:00 p.m., Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., led the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Adoration. Sis. Josephine George assisted in the music ministry. At 3:30 p.m., Fr. Prince, S.J., spoke on the "Ignatian way of discernment." At 5:30 p.m., Bro. Cherian Ramapuram spoke on the "Nature of the Charismatic Movement." From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., time was given for silent prayer. From 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., led healing, deliverance, and anointing adoration.

Day 2; Tuesday 28, January 2025;

At 7:00 a.m., Fr. Franklin spoke on "Exercise of Charisms by Priests." At 9:30 a.m., he spoke on "Priests' Relationship with the Laity." At 11:30 a.m., Fr. Prince, S.J., celebrated Holy Eucharist and preached on "The Role of a Spiritual Director in the Charismatic Movement." At 3:00 p.m., Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., led a talk and prepared for confession. At 5:00 p.m., Brother Cherian Ramapuram spoke on "How Priests Can Support and Utilize Lay Ministers to Spread the Gospel." From 6:00 p.m. onward, confessions took place, with silent adoration until 8:30 p.m.

Day 3, Wednesday 29, January 2025:

After the praise and worship at 7:00 p.m., Bro. Cherian Ramapuram gave an input on "Deliverance Ministry." At 9:30 a.m., Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., gave an introduction on "Exorcism." At 11:30 a.m., Monsignor Very Rev. Fr. Philip Kutty, Vicar General of the Diocese of Belgaum, celebrated the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., gave a sermon on "Exorcism Ministry." At 3:00 p.m., Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., led adoration (Exorcism with Divine Mercy Chaplet). At 5:30 p.m., he held an exorcism interactive session with the retreatants. He clarified many questions that the priests had. After a silent break at 7:00 p.m., Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., led the inner healing adoration with Fr. Franklin D'Souza and Bro. Cherian Ramapuram until 9:00 p.m.

Day 4, Thursday 30, January 2025:

Following the 7:00 a.m. praise and worship led by Brother Allwyn Stewart, Father Prince, S.J., delivered a presentation on "Exorcism and the spirits of obedience, celibacy, and poverty." Father Aloysius, the Salesian, told the priests about his miraculous recovery; Jesus saved him from a deadly illness.
At 9:30 a.m., Father Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., addressed the topic of "Challenges of Exorcists." A votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, celebrated by Father Franklin D'Souza at 11:30 a.m., included a homily referencing Ephesians 6:10-18 and John 15:1-11. He urged the assembled clergy to find strength in the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing their divine calling, His trust in them, and their dependence on Him. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in Jesus, His word, and His love, asserting that with Jesus and their granted authority, they possess the power to overcome evil and administer healing, deliverance, and the anointing of His grace.

Following Mass, Fr. Jose Vettiyankal, V.C., provided insights from the Magisterium on exorcism, demonology, and episcopal authority. Subsequently, he, along with Fathers Franklin D'Souza and Prince, S.J., conducted the anointing and adoration, collectively laying hands on and praying for the retreatants. Numerous priests also shared their experiences.

On behalf of KRSC, Fr. Franklin D'Souza expressed gratitude to Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop of the Diocese of Belthangady, and former Episcopal Advisor, for his insightful guidance in planning this retreat. He also extended his appreciation to the current Episcopal Advisor, Most Rev. Dr. Robert Miranda, Bishop of the Diocese of Gulbarga. Furthermore, he acknowledged the contributions of Coordinator Bro. Cherian Ramapuram and his team, as well as the Logos Retreat Centre for their support and resources. Special thanks were given to Fr. Jose Vettiyankal VC for his unwavering support of the Church of Karnataka's renewal ministry. Finally, he recognized the musical talents of Bro. Allwyn Stewart and Sis. Josephine George.

Bro. Cherian Ramapuram expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the successful retreat and seminar. He offered special thanks to Fr. Jose Vettiyankal VC, Fr. Prince SJ, and Fr. Franklin D'Souza.

The retreat concluded at 2:00 PM.

Report & photos by;
Fr Franklin D'Souza,
Diocese of Shimoga,
www.frfranklin.org,
Mobile: +919013905078