The Xavier Retreat House, Baga, hosted a specialized retreat, ‘Finding God in Creation during Lent’ recently.
The theme was God’s creation of the universe and continued the illustrious journey of Eco Consciousness that started in 2024 at the centre under the direction, vision, leadership and spiritual guidance of The Xavier Retreat House Eco Consciousness core Team.
The Center had started eco-conscious retreats with hands-on training, spending time with trees and plants, and other guided activities that enable participants to maintain their surroundings clean and green in response to Pope Francis and the Church’s mission to conserve the environment.
Three comprehensive workshops were held last year focusing on facets of environmental care, tree planting, potted plant growth, composting, and natural care of the environment.
A number of resource people, including the Forest Department, Goa, collaborated to preserve a green cover on the hillock surrounded by sea.
This time, during Lent, with a quest to discover God in nature, the participants dwelled on church documents such as Laudato Si.
The retreat focused on ‘Virtue of Hope’, as part of Jubilee Year.
Participants spent time outdoors learning composting, potting skills and growing plants and take care of the environment by gathering plastic and waste.
The eco consciousness retreats attract individuals, youth groups and young professionals who participated with much enthusiasm not hesitating to get mud on their hands during a reflective time with nature.
The eco retreat helped participants better comprehend with God’s creation, purpose, use and gain a deeper knowledge of surroundings, to adhere to sustainability for future generations.
Spiritually enhancing reflections during sunrises and sunsets, the calming sounds of waves, offered participants at the overnight retreat opportunities to re-establish a connect with God, nature, and themselves through immersive hands-on activities in the breathtaking outdoor setting against the sound of the ocean churning.
The retreat was attended by lay faithful, B.Ed students of Nirmala Institute of Education and few religious nuns. Guided silent retreats in Ignatian spirituality are held at the Xavier Retreat House in Baga for lay and religious faithful, as well as professionals and young people.
