Night Vigil at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Fatorpa: A Spiritual Journey of Hope and Prayer

On April 5, 2025, the Don Bosco Youth Services (DBYS) organized an overnight Lenten Pasch for the youth and parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Fatorpa. Centered on the theme "Pilgrims of Hope: Rooted in Prayer," the event aimed to foster spiritual growth and deepen participants' relationship with God. The vigil was led by Fr. Austin Fernandes, Director of DBYS, supported by Fr. Ronald Vaz, Cl. Sherwin Carvalho, Mr. Jolton D’Costa, Ms. Leha Fernandes, and Mr. Benroy Cardozo.

The Vigil commenced at 9:30 p.m. with a hymn to the Holy Spirit, setting a reflective tone for the evening. Fr. Austin Fernandes delivered an insightful talk on the significance of confession, emphasizing its role in spiritual renewal. As part of this session, Mr. Benroy Cardozo and Mr. Jolton D'costa shared heartfelt testimonies about their personal experiences with the sacrament of confession, inspiring participants to embrace this practice.

Following the talk, Fr. Austin and Fr. Ronald engaged the attendees with a series of action songs and interactive games that fostered camaraderie and enthusiasm among the youth and parishioners. At 11:15 p.m., the focus shifted to adoration led by Fr. Ronald Vaz, which included praise, worship, and moments of reflection. During this sacred time, blessings were imparted to all present, with special prayers dedicated to the youth.

After a brief interlude, participants were divided into pairs to prepare reflections and prayers for the Stations of the Cross while Fr. Austin and Fr. Ronald conducted a separate talk for parishioners. The youth animated the Stations of the Cross by sharing their reflections and prayers, creating a profound spiritual experience for all attendees.

The vigil continued with a second talk by Fr. Austin on the importance of the Holy Eucharist, highlighting its centrality in Christian life. This session was enriched by additional testimonies from Mr. Jolton and Mr. Benroy, who shared their experiences of encountering Christ through the Eucharist.

The Night Vigil concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 4:30 a.m., animated by the youth of the parish. This marked a fitting end to an evening filled with prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

The event witnessed active participation from parishioners and youth alike, who expressed their gratitude for this opportunity to deepen their faith during Lent. The organizers were delighted to share this meaningful experience with the community at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Fatorpa.


- By Cl. Sherwin Carvalho

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM

    Good job team...let's continue to reach out to the people of God and let's do our part to establish God's Kingdom here on Earth

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Youth Formation Program at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Ambelim- Goa

Image
On July 14, 2024, the inaugural mass for the Youth of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Ambelim, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. The ceremony began with a procession of members, each carrying a personalized Bible cutout, which they later stuck onto a world map, symbolizing their mission to spread the Good News globally. Fr. Austin Fernandes SDB, the main celebrant, emphasized the importance of "practicing what we preach" in his homily, encouraging the youth to grow positively and evolve as a community. Fr. Camilo Dias, the chaplain of the chapel, co-celebrated the mass and distributed the Bible cutouts during the recessional hymn, signifying the start of their mission. Following the Eucharistic Celebration, Fr. Austin conducted an engaging formation session, which included an icebreaker activity, group games, and action songs. He shared a powerful message, highlighting Pope Francis' words, "The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity, and the joy t...
Read more

Viva Sao Joao - Where faith meets Fun

Image
The Feast of São João brought the Don Bosco Animation Centre in Benaulim to life with festive cheer, soulful reflection, spirited music, and meaningful community connection on 22nd June 2025. This celebration, deeply rooted in Goan culture, was specially curated for the youth, blending age-old traditions with modern expressions of faith and fun.  Organized by the Don Bosco Youth Paschers Movement, “Viva Sao Joao” was both a celebration of heritage and a moment of reflection on how traditions are evolving in today’s fast-paced world. The event began on an energetic note as participants were welcomed with lively ice-breaker activities and engaging action songs. They contributed to a warm, friendly environment where everyone felt included, energizing the young participants and setting a joyful tone for the event. Later, there was an insightful session led by Fr. Edison, who spoke passionately about the spiritual and cultural significance of São João. He highlighted the rich traditions...
Read more

Youth Pasch 2025: Pilgrims of Hope: Rooted in Love and Service

Image
They said, “ Sir, we want to see Jesus. ” We replied, “ Come and See .”  The Youth Pasch 2025, was organized by Don Bosco Youth Services (DBYS), at Don Bosco Sulcorna from 16th April to 20th April. 46 young people, 12 volunteers and 6 animators started the spiritual endeavor with great enthusiasm and hope in the promises of the Lord. The theme for this year, “Pilgrims of Hope: Marching towards the Promised Land,” captured the essence of the spiritual journey undertaken by each young person present. Rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Holy Triduum, Youth Pasch seeks to help participants walk closely with Christ through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection — not merely as a remembrance, but as a lived experience: the personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. This year’s Pasch was led and animated by a dedicated team of spiritual guides: Fr. Simao, Rector of Don Bosco Benaulim; Fr. Austin Fernandes, Director of DBYS; Fr. Constantine, Head Master of Don Bosco Farm High School Sulcor...
Read more