Blessing and Inauguration of Xavier Retreat House, Baga
Xavier Retreat House, Baga, a spirituality center of the Goa Province Jesuits, is perched on a hill. It offers a stunning view of the Arabian sea, where one can experience the breathtaking sunset. The idea of the Retreat house was conceived by a Belgian Jesuit, Fr. Adrian Le Tellier. He wanted to create a spirituality center that would provide a peaceful and tranquil environment for people seeking solace and inner peace. The Retreat house was completed in 1951, on a land generously donated by Dr. Joãn Crisostomo de Souza Egipsy from Calangute. It was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the founding member of the Society of Jesus and the Goycho Saib. Over the years, the Retreat house has been an inclusive and welcoming space, catering to people from all walks of life, namely, religious, diocesan priests, women, families, youth, young professionals, lay adults, and even individuals from other faiths. In 2011, the retreat house completed 60 years of service for the people of God, which was celebrated with gratitude and spiritual fervor. However, due to its proximity to the sea, the Retreat house faced significant damage, and also it lacked modern amenities, which led to its renovation. The renovation work which began in October 2019 was delayed due to covid, torrential rains, and other similar challenges. As the renovation work was brought to its logical conclusion, the blessing, and inauguration saw the light of the day.
Thus, his eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão presided over the ceremony on 16 April 2023, blessed the chapel and the retreat house. He was assisted by Fr. Roland Coelho, Provincial of Goa Province and Fr. Shannon Pereira, Director of Xavier Retreat House, Baga – Goa. Moreover, a large number of Priests, religious, laity, well-wishers, benefactors of the retreat house, architect, structural engineer, and various other persons who labored to bring it to completion were present for the occasion. The felicitations were held for those who contributed to the planning, execution and completion of the retreat house.
The new team of Jesuits who in collaboration with religious, diocesan priests, and lay people will lead the Retreat House in a Synodal path, nurturing spiritual leaders for the Church and society. Moreover, emphasis would also be laid on the universal apostolic preference of the Society of Jesus, namely, showing the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and Discernment. For further inquires and reservation at the retreat house, one can contact +917083093116, [email protected]
Below are a few pictures from the inauguration.