BANGALORE, INDIA – Lent is a special time for Redemptorists. All across the globe, this is when many Redemptorists, travel to conduct Lenten popular parish missions. Keeping in mind the pastoral needs of home-bound, elderly, and busy Catholics who may not be able to visit their parishes, the Redemptorist Media Center, India, hosted an online.
Lenten Retreat on its Holy Redeemer YouTube channel. A new online service premiered each day from the 22nd to the 28th of February at 6.00 AM IST. Ably led by Rev. Fr. Rakesh Mathias CSsR and Rev. Fr. Lawrence A. CSsR, the seven-day retreat saw thousands of people log in to participate.
The retreat started powerfully with Fr. Rakesh and Fr. Lawrence holding their audience captive with inspired preaching. On the first day, Fr. Lawrence invited the online participants to slow down, step back from the hubbub of modern-day life; hear the Lord’s invitation to stillness so that we could encounter His presence, hear His voice, and rediscover His peace. The reflection reinforced the importance of Lent being a time of grace, healing, and spiritual transformation.
On the second day, Fr. Rakesh led participants through a powerful contemplation of the Holy Name of Jesus; he reminded us that the name of Jesus is not just a word we speak- it is salvation, healing, authority, mercy, and hope.
On day three of the online Lenten Retreat, Fr. Lawrence led a session for married couples, helping them remember and renew their covenantal bonds before God. Today, when so many relationships are tested and families face uncertainties, Fr. Lawrence reminded participants on Jesus’ exhortation on the holiness of marriage which is witnessed by God Himself.
Day four saw Fr. Rakesh lead attendees into a heartfelt reflection inspired by the parable of the Prodigal Son, highlighting the importance of genuine repentance and reconciliation.
On the fifth day of the Lenten Mission, Fr. Lawrence led a reflection on personal and family commitments to living a faithful Christian life in a world increasingly filled with distractions. He highlighted the importance of Lent being not only a season of prayer and fasting but also a time to renew our commitment to Jesus Christ by being careful in our daily choices.
Fr. Rakesh led participants through the Stations of the Cross inspired by St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Thomas Aquinas on the sixth day. Father helped us meditate at each station on Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross; how He continues to nourish us with His presence and grace. The prayerful, profound, Lenten Retreat concluded with Fr. Lawrence reflecting on our Blessed Mother Mary’s exhortation: ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ (John 2:5) The timeless instruction of our Lady of Perpetual Succour, holds good for all of us in times of uncertainty, stress, and woes. Fr. Lawrence reiterated that through her intercession, we grow in faith, humility, and a deeper love for Christ.
On each of the seven days of the Redemptorist online Lenten Retreat, the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament concluded the prayerful hour. Those who participated in the retreat were left feeling renewed in hope. Many online participants expressed thanks to the preachers for their spiritual wisdom, to Redemptorist Media Center for making these resources available and ultimately for the Redemptorist charism which inspired the missionaries to prepare us to continue our Lenten practices in the joy-filled knowledge that our God, the Redeemer, Christ Himself, loves us, guides us and is always with us.
Mrs. Sreya Urs
Get the entire experience by following the videos in this playlist from the Redemptorist Media Center, also known as Holy Redeemer YouTube Channel.
