Chennai (India). From 30 January to 1 February 2026, thirty Temporary Professed Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from St. Thomas the Apostle Province (INM) gathered at the provincial headquarters in Kodambakkam, Chennai, for their quarterly retreat and formation meeting. This meeting offered the young Sisters a privileged space for prayer, reflection, formation, and fraternal sharing, allowing them to pause, regenerate, and refocus on their vocation and mission in the light of the Gospel and the Salesian charism.
The retreat began with a moment of prayer, starting with a quote from Pope Francis, “The miracle of Cana begins with obedience. When we do what Jesus tells us, He transforms our lives,” inviting the sisters to contemplate obedience, not only as a rule to follow, but as a trusting response to God’s will, which opens the way to personal transformation and a fruitful mission.
With the recitation of the Rosary, the group then entrusted the entire experience to the maternal intercession of Mary Help of Christians. This was followed by a vigil in preparation for the feast of Saint John Bosco, an expression of gratitude for the Salesian legacy and its continuation in the lives of the FMA today.
During the Goodnight talk, the Provincial, Sister Margaret Devadoss, spoke about the importance and beauty of vocation, emphasizing that formation is always oriented towards the mission and that the heart of every Salesian vocation is evangelization, especially among young people and the poor. In conclusion, she encouraged the young Sisters to remain faithful to the call they received from the Lord, even amidst challenges and moments of uncertainty.
The second day was dedicated to a retreat on the theme, “Evangelization and Pastoral Charity,” led by Father Robin Seelan, SJ, who, with his contributions, invited the FMA to examine their personal and apostolic lives in light of evangelical values and the pastoral mission. The speaker structured the retreat around three essential movements for authentic evangelization:
- To leave behind. The Sisters were invited to consciously free themselves from attitudes and tendencies that hinder missionary effectiveness, such as worldliness, a sense of superiority, prejudices, and an excessive emphasis on efficiency at the expense of mercy and presence.
- Hold fast. They were encouraged to remain steadfast in what gives life and meaning to their vocation: faith in God, clarity of intention, inner reflection, and perseverance, especially in times of dryness, struggle, or weariness.
- Remain close. The importance of being aware of stress and emotional fatigue was emphasized, as well as the need to remain close to the people of God, particularly those entrusted to the care of the Sisters. Authentic pastoral charity stems from closeness, listening, and accompaniment.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharistic Celebration crowned the day of retreat. In the evening, the young FMA joyfully participated in the celebration of the Feast of Saint John Bosco with the Salesian Family in three different communities: Don Bosco, Egmore; Don Bosco Beatitudes, Vyasarpadi; and The Citadel, at the provincial house.
The last day, 1 February, led by the Provincial, was dedicated to reflection on the mission. Sister Margaret emphasized that the heart of the Salesian mission is to give Jesus to the people entrusted to their care. The FMA were encouraged to remain in tune with the voice of the Holy Spirit, who continuously guides and renews the mission. Particular emphasis was placed on commitment to a strong sacramental life, a profound Marian spirituality, the fundamental role of the Past Pupils in the mission, and the missionary dimension of the Salesian charism, which calls each one to availability and collaboration.
Following the Provincial’s address, Sister Susai Josephine Rani, Coordinator for Formation, led the Eucharistic Adoration, inviting the Sisters to prepare themselves in prayer for writing their reports and questions, placing their future in the hands of the Lord. In his homily during Holy Mass, Father Peter James Raja, SJ, emphasized the primacy of God’s grace and encouraged the young FMA to always trust in the Lord, reminding them that God remains faithful even when the journey is challenging.
The afternoon was characterized by an atmosphere of silence and prayer, and by a group discussion on the Cronistoria, and its practical implications for personal growth, community life, and apostolic commitment.
The meeting concluded with thanks to the Provincial, Sister Margaret Devadoss, and to Sister Josephine Rani Susai, the Formation Coordinator. The sisters also extended their best wishes to the FMA who will be making their Perpetual Profession. Overall, the Quarterly Retreat was a grace-filled experience that strengthened their commitment, missionary zeal, and dedication to evangelization in the Salesian spirit.
