Spiritual Camp for Youth and Children Held at St. Thomas Parish in Manipur

Singngat, Manipur, February 17, 2025— A two-day spiritual camp for youth and children was organised by the Archdiocese of Imphal at St. Thomas Church, Singngat, on February 15 and 16, as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations. Over 170 youngsters and children from St. Thomas Parish participated in the event, gathering to deepen their faith and spiritual connection. The camp was led by a dedicated team from the Archdiocese, including Fr. Paul Ngaoni, Director of the Archdiocese's Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) unit and Assistant Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral; Sr. Blessy of the CMC Congregation; and Fr. Denis, Assistant Procurator of the Archdiocese of Imphal. The camp aimed to inspire and uplift the spiritual lives of the participants through prayer, worship, and interactive activities.

The camp began on February 15 with an opening session led by Sr. Blessy. She engaged the children in prayer and interactive activities, teaching songs and other spiritual items that captivated the young participants and set a joyful tone for the event.

On the second day, the camp began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr. Paul Ngaoni. This was followed by a session during which Fr. Paul highlighted the critical importance of spiritual growth and encouraged the youth to embrace their faith with fervour. His words deeply resonated with the attendees as he also imparted valuable lessons on maintaining silence for meditation.

The afternoon session shifted to an energetic praise and worship gathering, led by Sr. Blessy. She later conducted a talk on the power of prayer, Bible reading, and hymn singing, reinforcing the significance of these spiritual practices. To further promote discipline, prayer, and biblical knowledge, Sr. Blessy organised a friendly competition in which participants were divided into four groups. Winners in each category were awarded prizes in recognition of their efforts.

The event concluded with Fr. Mung, parish priest of St. Thomas Church, expressing his gratitude to the resource persons by presenting them with traditional Zou mufflers. His words of appreciation and blessing not only uplifted the team but also reaffirmed their commitment to their noble mission.

Beyond strengthening faith, the camp offered much-needed solace and hope to many attendees, particularly those who are internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the ongoing crisis in Manipur. The event served as a source of spiritual renewal, offering participants a peaceful and uplifting experience amidst challenging times.

By Tungthang Zou,

News Producer, 

Radio Veritas Asia