The Annual Retreat of the Vice Province of Majella was held from 3–8 August 2025 at Dasya, Porvorim, Goa, India. The preacher for the retreat was Fr. Vimal Tirimanna, CSsR, our confrere from Sri Lanka and Professor at the Alphonsian Academy, Rome. It was a unique retreat, marked throughout by an emphasis on silence. At the very outset, Fr. Vimal invited all confreres to live by the three S’s: Silence, Seriousness, and Sincerity.
He began by posing a fundamental question: “What does it mean to be a Christian?” He followed this with a deeper challenge: “Do you believe in God? And if so, what kind of God do you believe in? Do you believe in the God proclaimed by Jesus Christ, or is your God one made in your own image and likeness?” Fr. Vimal placed strong emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Speaking about prayer, he underlined the importance of listening—especially to the voice of the Holy Spirit. As the retreat progressed, he reflected at length on our identity as Redemptorists, highlighting the need for simplicity, humility, self-denial and detachment.
The retreat concluded with a rich reflection on what it means to be a happy Redemptorist, focusing on the joy of our vocation. Having completed his entire seminary formation in India, Fr. Vimal knew us well and understood the realities of our Redemptorist life. The retreat made us aware of our tendencies toward spiritual worldliness and helped reorient us toward the basics—the most essential aspects of our Redemptorist calling.
It was truly one of the best retreats we have had. Every conference acted as a mirror, enabling us to examine our way of life. We now strive to translate the fruits of this retreat into the reality of our daily living.
Fr. Shane Varghese, CSsR.
Secretary, Majella V. Province
