Spiritual exercises for young Dalits and poor people in the Diocese of Nashik

The youth ministry was behind the event on the initiative of the local bishop. Local kids come from poor families and start working before they are 18. The exercises "help young people keep away from drugs and crime, and strengthen them to meet the challenges of life”.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The Diocese of Nashik (Maharashtra) organised a seminar on the "Spiritual renewal of our young people" centred on ‘To grow in Christ as God’s good children and responsible children of God’, said Fr Satish Kadam, diocesan youth ministry director.

The seminar took place on 17 March at St Anne’s Cathedral in Nashik and on 31 March at the Church of the Infant Jesus in Babhaleshwar.

Most young people in Ahmednagar are "Dalit and poor,” said the clergyman. “Families are unable to send their children to school so the latter start working before 18. The district is arid, farming is hard and young people are forced to emigrate in search of work to large cities like Pune, Solapur, Kolhapur and Mumbai".

The local bishop, Mgr Lourdes Daniel, was behind the seminar. He is especially involved with young Dalits. "He believes in the power of the young, encourages them to follow their passions, to set a goal and reach it,” Fr Kadam explained. “He also promotes education among teenagers interested in government jobs."

Some 200 youth attended the event. The catechesis focused on a number of topics: God, prayer, love, human relations and the family.

"Thanks to the spiritual training programme and career counselling, we give them guidance on how to approach higher education and find work, as well as how to live a good Christian life and preach Christ."

The diocesan director said that during the exercises young people also discussed the problems of everyday life "and how to solve them with faith in Christ and through the help of families.”

In the diocese, “We have tried to keep young Dalit Christians together by organising sports and entertainment".

Activities planned by the Diocese “help young people keep away from drugs and crime, and empower them to meet the challenges of life,” Fr Kadam explained.

“For our part, we appreciate the fact that the kids chose to spend their time [in such a way], and we encourage them to continue the good deeds in their respective parishes."

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• diocese
• nashik
• spiritual exercises
• seminar
• youth
• dalit
• poor