Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Apr 12: Fr Franklin D’Souza, spiritual director of the Karnataka Regional Catholic Charismatic Movement and renowned Catholic charismatic preacher from the Diocese of Shimoga, commenced a two-day Lenten Konkani retreat (April 12 & 13) at Divine Mercy Church, Mira Bhayandar Road, Mumbai.
The theme of the retreat is the Jubilee Year: “Hope never disappoints us” (Romans 5:5). Fr D’Souza opened the retreat with a reflection on Mark 6:17–29, recounting the beheading of John the Baptist. He emphasised that the season of Lent is an opportunity to set our consciences right. “The Word of God helps us to set right our consciences according to God's way,” he said.
He spoke about four types of consciences: a dead conscience (Herodias, who bore a grudge and sought to kill John the Baptist), an evasive conscience (Herodias' daughter, whose immaturity contributed to John's death), a wavering conscience (Herod, who heard the voice but did not change), and a courageous conscience (John the Baptist, who stood for the truth and became a martyr).
Fr D’Souza urged the faithful to reflect deeply and examine their consciences. “The tragedy of Christians today is that they neither know the word of god nor the power of god” (Mark 12:24), he said, quoting the prophet Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge.” He added, “God's revealed knowledge is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the wisdom and knowledge of god” (Colossians 2:3).
He concluded that through genuine repentance, we attain eternal life. “We should hope in the Lord Jesus Christ; our hope will never disappoint us,” he affirmed, inviting the faithful to abide in Jesus, His Word, and His love. Fr D’Souza also led healing adoration and prayed over the congregation.
The retreat, led by Fr Franklin D’Souza, was organised under the mission “Come hear the word of Jesus and receive comfort” (Yeia, Jezuche Utar Aikonvya Ani Shanti Zhodyan). Music and singing were led by Henry D’Souza (Naigaon). Parish priests and the Divine Mercy Konkani Unit hosted the retreat with strong leadership and community participation.
Present at the retreat were Fr Allwyn Nazareth (priest-in-charge), Fr Michael D’Souza, Fr Maria Anthony Pathinathan, Fr Peter A D’mello, and chief motivator Maurice Pinto Hirgan (Karkal), along with hundreds of devoted parishioners.