UNNATI Camp in Mysuru Guides Students to Discern Career and Calling in the Light of Faith

Mysuru, April 13, 2026 — At a decisive moment in the lives of young students, the Diocese of Mysuru offered a pathway that went beyond conventional career planning, inviting them instead into a deeper journey of discernment rooted in faith. The three-day “UNNATI – Progress” Career Orientation and Vocation Camp, held from April 10 to 12 at Mathias Auditorium, brought together 186 SSLC students who had just completed their board examinations.

Organised collaboratively by the diocesan Faith Formation Commission, Vocation and Formation Commission, and Education Commission, the initiative sought to integrate professional guidance with spiritual formation. The camp welcomed 97 boys and 89 girls into a reflective space where questions of future, identity, and purpose were addressed through the lens of Christian faith.

Structured around the themes “God’s Love for Me,” “God’s Call,” and “My Response to God’s Love,” the programme combined prayer, input sessions, group discussions, and interactive activities. Participants were encouraged to grow in self-awareness, recognise their God-given talents, and make responsible, faith-informed decisions about their future paths.

Career counselling sessions were interwoven with vocation awareness programmes, enabling students to explore both secular professions and consecrated life. Moments of silent reflection and guided prayer allowed them to connect their aspirations with a deeper sense of meaning and mission.

The camp was enriched by the presence of Bishop Francis Serrao, who presided over the Holy Eucharist and addressed the students, urging them to listen attentively to God’s voice in their lives. Msgr. Anthappa M. also celebrated the Eucharist and offered spiritual reflections, encouraging the young participants to pursue lives marked by purpose and fidelity to their calling.

Under the bishop’s guidance, a team of Jesuit priests coordinated the sessions and exposure programmes. The camp was led by Fr. Edward Philip and Fr. Arul Selva Kumar, with the support of 22 religious volunteers who accompanied the students throughout the programme.

A notable dimension of the camp was the interaction with 27 men and women religious from various congregations, who shared their personal vocation journeys. Their testimonies offered the students a living witness to lives dedicated to service, prayer, and mission, leaving a lasting impression.

The exposure programme further deepened this experience. Students visited homes inspired by the legacy of Mother Teresa, as well as the Little Sisters of the Poor Home and the Retired Priests’ Home. These encounters provided a tangible experience of Christian charity in action, fostering empathy and offering a practical understanding of vocation as service.

Accommodation for the participants was arranged across various centres in Mysuru, ensuring a safe and community-oriented environment conducive to learning and reflection.

As the camp concluded, many students departed with renewed clarity and confidence, better equipped to navigate the choices ahead. Grounded in both aspiration and faith, the UNNATI camp stood as a reminder that true progress lies not only in career success but in responding generously to God’s call.

By Catholic Connect Reporter