Matters India Reporter
Kapadvanj, (Gujarat), April 15, 2025: Amrutdhara Don Bosco buzzed with spiritual energy as it hosted a transformative five-day Youth Pasch from 9th to April 13.
Themed “Hope in Christ,” the program was designed to prepare young people for the solemnity of Holy Week, offering a rich tapestry of activities that fostered deeper spiritual understanding.
The Pasch commenced with Youth Director Fr. Ashwin Macwan welcoming participants and setting the stage for a collective faith journey, encouraging reflection through the film Life of Christ. Subsequent days were filled with powerful symbolism: early morning meditations prompting personal commitments, and a moving foot-washing ritual that underscored humility and community.
Salesian Sr. Mary Cherian led insightful sessions on self-awareness and relationships, followed by a reflective exploration of personal and collective transformation, echoing the Exodus events. Evenings featured uplifting Eucharistic celebrations and an evocative Seder meal, connecting ancient Jewish passover traditions with contemporary faith.
A deeply introspective day saw youth symbolically confronting their sins, writing them down and “nailing” them to a cross. Fr. Ashwin Macwan guided interactive sessions on death, sin, and forgiveness, while a labyrinth garden offered a space for quiet prayer. The evening culminated in a unique “Way of the Cross” crafted from the participants’ reflections, leading into a Eucharistic celebration focused on sacrifice and redemption.
The theme of renewal took center stage on the fourth day. Participants created symbolic “crosses of their lives,” uniting them with their written sins before a powerful burning ceremony signifying spiritual purification. An experience of the empty tomb offered a tangible sense of the Resurrection, complemented by opportunities for confession and a Eucharistic celebration led by Fr. Agnel James and Fr. Macwan’s homily emphasing the Church’s call to embrace Christ’s Resurrection and the enduring message of hope.
The Youth Pasch concluded with participants departed resonating the spirit of Christ, promising to guide them through life’s journey with renewed faith. END