Priests’ Retreat Concludes with Spiritual Renewal in Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh, July 26, 2025 – The annual spiritual retreat for priests of the Diocese of Dibrugarh concluded on 25 July 2025, coinciding with the feast of the Apostle James. The closing Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Dr. Albert Hemrom, Bishop of Dibrugarh.

Held at St. Boniface Pastoral Centre, Mancotta, the retreat began on 20 July and was led by Fr. (Dr) Jose Varckasseril SDB, a Scripture professor at Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai, Shillong, with over 25 years of pastoral experience. A total of 64 priests and religious participated in the five-day spiritual renewal programme.

Drawing deeply from the Gospel of St. Mark and the Acts of the Apostles, Fr. Jose offered profound insights into how Jesus selected and mentored his apostles, who in turn carried forward His mission through preaching, teaching, and building the early Church. With a strong command of Scripture, he unpacked the meaning of each phrase, illustrating how the apostles applied these teachings in their pastoral ministry to advance the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Jose emphasised key traits of discipleship, noting that the apostles learned by observing and listening to Jesus firsthand. Among the essential qualities he highlighted were prayer (both public and private), forgiveness, healing, generosity in sharing the Word, availability, openness to Gentiles, patience, restoring human dignity, and sensitivity to unspoken needs.

“These qualities,” he affirmed, “were vital for the apostles in establishing the Church, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.” He urged retreatants to embody these virtues in their own ministries, emphasising that quantity must come first, with quality following naturally.

Impressed by Fr. Jose’s teaching, Fr. Joseph Muloparampil, Vicar General of the diocese, confirmed his invitation for the following year. “You explained to us this time the Gospel of St. Mark and the Acts of the Apostles; next year, you may choose either the Gospel of Matthew or John,” he said. Fr. Bartholomew Bhengra remarked that he had never been taught Scripture as meaningfully in theology classes as he had experienced during the retreat.

In his concluding pastoral message, Bishop Albert encouraged his priests with three key exhortations: to rekindle the flame of their priestly vocation, to carry the burden of their mission with Christ, and to look forward with hope.

The retreat was hosted by Fr. Timothy Saldanha, director of the Pastoral Centre.

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