RETREAT OF KOCHIVAALAAS AT ARS IN FRANCE 26. 30.

. November 2012 On the afternoon of Sunday 25th November, the participants of the retreat met together at Josephs parochial house in Zuerich and had dinner together with Johney. Next day after the breakfast we set out our journey towards Ars, which was 450 KM away, via Bern and Geneva and reached the destination by 2 PM. Sr. Elzabeth and the Rector of the seminary house welcomed us warmly and showed us our rooms, chapels (3), conference rooms, refectory and gave us other useful informations to make our stay comfortable. On the day of our arrival itself, we explored the town of Ars and the church of the vicar of Ars, which is now enjoying the title of a basilica. Ars, really a remote, isolated village of France, which has a population of 1300 (at the time of Vianney only 300). We met there not many people, but are told, that in summer season they get a flow of pilgrims and tourists. We were very pleased to have the calm and quiet atmosphere of the village and enjoyed its serenity and peacefulness, which attributed much to our days of retreat in Ars. We made some slight changes to our pre-planned programme, especially prayer and food time, in order to come right with the programmes of the seminary house. It was a nice experience for all of us to be again in a seminary structure and the situation was pleasant, cheerful and radiant. The food was very good and enjoyed good service from the seminarians. On the first day of retreat, Celestin presented the life of John Maria Vianney and gave us an interesting picture of his life and works, and about his character and his virtues. On the second day Thomas talked about the priestly life of Vianney, authentically with many quotations and inspiring examples. On the third day it was Jaby who compared the life of Vianney with the present time and held the Saint as inspiring models even in this era. All these three days were very much thought provoking and lead to fruitful and efficient sharing sessions. It helped us lot to view our life through the perspectives of the saints and also to see the radical changes taking place in the past centuries and the tensions of the present time. It was very enriching to every one and helped us to review our priestly life in the light of Bible and inspiring life of Vianney. We also had the occasion for our confession in the church where St. Vianney spent most of his pastoral time. Although it was raining all through the days, we found time to walk through the long and wide streets of Ars and enjoyed the scenic beauty of Ars. On Friday morning after Holy Mass and breakfast we departed Ars and arrived Zuerich at 4 pm after a short visit to the parochial house of Celestine and sat together in the living room of Josephs parochial house to celebrate his birthday. We thank God for this wonderful opportunity to go to the soil, where the patron of parish priests St. John Maria Vianney worked and lived and to spend few days in contemplation and prayers. It helped to strengthen our spiritual bond with all Priests, especially with the priests of our own diocese.

I thank everyone, who contributed to the success of this Retreat and all those who prayed for us. Special thanks to Thomas for the well designed and printed Prayers of the hours. A Report for the Retreat Team Joseph