A Retreat with Father Manjackal
On 3 December 2008 I flew to Europe to take part in a retreat with Fr.
Manjackal in Fatima. The organiser of the retreat Mr. Joao Silva Dias had
sent the ticket and booked the hotel for me to enable me to participate
in the retreat which Fr. Manjackal preached from 12-14 December 2008.
He preached in the Pope Paul VI auditorium in the sanctuary which has
the capacity to hold 3000 people. The hall was filled to the brim and on
the last day a number of people were standing in the hall as they had no
seats. I am so happy that I could take part in this retreat. It was wonderful
to see that one of our confreres is doing such good works. I could feel
deep within me that he is actually leading people back to God. He tells
them to have a sense of sin, to repent, giving them an opportunity to get
reconciled with each other. He teaches the genuine Catholic Doctrine to
them. I could see that a number of people had the experience of Metanoia,
a conversion in their life and after many years they find their way back
to the Church. In his preaching he always invited people to be faithful
to the Catholic Church and its teachings.
It is Evangelization or re-evangelization in the true sense of the word.
I saw people giving witnesses to what happens in their life, how they got
converted to God and the church after taking part in the retreat with Fr.
Manjackal. I am sure that some bishops may not fully agree with all what
Fr. Manjackal says. Many in Europe do not want to hear about sin especially
in the area of sexuality. He speaks in all clarity against Homosexuality,
Lesbianism, Premarital Sex, the immorality of divorce etc. They are themes
which the European Church prefers to be silent about. I felt he has the
courage to express his views about such issues in Europe.
There are elements of Charismatic preaching, with clapping of Hands,
movements of hands and body, praying in tongues, etc. which may be foreign
to any European way of liturgical celebration. But he always stresses the
importance of faith. Unless we participate in the retreat it is difficult
to make any judgments about it. Fr. Manjackal is capable of attracting
big crowds for his preaching. Some may be jealous. So they often spread
the rumors that he is not allowed to preach in India and seeks a safe haven
in Europe. I think they are calumnies and do not serve any purpose.
`I think and believe that his preaching contributes to a great extent to
the re-evangelization of Europe.
For me personally it was a wonderful experience not only because I had
the opportunity to speak to a group of about 3000 people but also because
I could personally experience the wonderful works that God is doing through
Fr. Manjackal in western countries. His speech is simply electrifying because
the Spirit is at work and the people are moved to know that the Will of
God is their Salvation. If you want to know more about his preaching and
ministries please open his website: www.jmanjackal.net and if you write
in the guest book it will be wonderful. |
n
1989 by Fr. James Manjackal who was also its first Director. His
vision and zeal for the spiritual renewal and empowerment of the people
have borne rich results over the years. It is the only retreat centre of
such 
quality
that MSFS have all over the world. Ever since its inception, it has been
a living response to the needs of the people. It is helping thousands of
people to solve or face their social, economic, domestic, psychological
and spiritual problems. The centre has been doing commendable work
for the past one decade and more bringing people closer to God and a blissful
relationship with Him. The centre has been a channel of peace, joy
and love for all irrespective of caste, colour, religion or nationality.
For more information on the centre kindly log on to its website: www.charisbhavan.org"
Charis
Bhavan is a well-known MSFS retreat centre in Kerala, making God-experience
a reality for thousands of people who seek God’s presence and grace.
It was founded in 1989 by Fr. James Manjackal who was also its first Director.
His vision and zeal for the spiritual renewal and empowerment of the people
have borne rich results over the years. It is the only retreat centre
of such quality that MSFS have all over the world. Ever since its inception,
it has been a living response to the needs of the people. It is helping
thousands of people to solve or face their social, economic, domestic,
psychological and spiritual problems. The centre has been doing commendable
work for the past one decade and more bringing people closer to God and
a blissful relationship with Him. The centre has been a channel of
peace, joy and love for all irrespective of caste, colour, religion or
nationality. The retreat programmes in Charis Bhavan is much appreciated
by those who participate. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel brings hundreds
of people everyday to Eucharistic adoration and God-experience. Charis
Bhavan experiences the Perpetual Adoration Chapel as the Power center of
all its activities. It is being planned to make Charis Bhavan a centre
to impart training programme for Spiritual Direction and Counselling. There
is real, abundant spiritual power generated and shared by the commitment
and ministries of our confreres in Charis Bhavan. The daring spirit and
pioneering vision of Fr. James Manjackal is finding various expressions
in the new ministries being initiated. It has been the foundational vision
of Charis Bhavan that it should grow into a multifaceted institute for
the spiritual renewal and integral human development. Charis Bhavan
has also extended its services to other areas like providing refuge for
the old by establishing an Old Age Home and helping poor children for their
education. For more information on the centre you may log on to its
website: www.charisbhavan.org
