The Largest Catholic Retreat Center in the World . . .is in India!
Go here to take a look at Divine Retreat Centre of Kerala, India. Wait for the changing picture on the right side to go through its whole cycle. Yep, we are not talking Traditionalism here.
The Divine Retreat Centre is run by the Vincentian order of India which makes perfect sense since it was St. Vincent de Paul who basically invented the mission.
Since 1990, over 10 million pilgrims from all over the world have attended retreats here. Weekly retreats in 7 languages are held back-to-back non-stop every week of the year. Their basic retreat seems to be based upon the renewal of the sacraments although clearly within a charismatic understanding.
I wonder what the true impact of such a ministry is. "Come Away by Yourself to a Lonely Place and Rest Yourself" is the motto on the home page. I don't know that "lonely" and "rest" are the words that come to mind when contemplating millions of retreatants.
Obviously, with those numbers, it won't exactly be a "silent" retreat. There are so many needs in India. I imagine that many non-Christians come seeking a touch of God. May they find it there and in thousands of places through his sons and daughters!
Also a great source for those Malayalam praise and worship songs you've been looking for.
posted by Sherry W @ 11:27 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
Though I grew up in Kerala, in and around Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and around the people who were quite heavily involved at Potta, I have never visited. Actually, at the beginning years of Potta, I had a bit of an aversion to the whole phenomenon.
Hi Alex:
What kind of phenomena is it? Why are so many attracted to Potta? Is it different in some significant ways from other ministries in India?
Sherry,
I don't know a lot about the center; but I will tell you what I know, and then ask my brother (who goes there to give talks and lead sessions once in a while) to give you a better idea.
It came from the Charismatic Renewal experience, and is quite deeply rooted in the "Charismatic" spirituality. They are weekly structured/guided retreats. I think people are attracted to it for different aspects. I know people have gone there because "it is the place where miracles happen." There have been many physical, emotional and mental healing reported. Also, there are counseling for people who need them. Many others go there because of the "intense Charismatic experience," of praise and worship, (and) song, etc. I think once they are there, they are attracted to the leaders there too. Fr. Naickomparambil and Fr. Vellooran are the main personalities. They also do something like a big tent revival meetings all around the world (in the US and Europe too.)
There, certainly, have been many good fruits coming from the place, including conversions, healing. I used to be a bit weary of the emotionalism and spiritualism that came out of there. Also, Church authorities have had a love-hate relationship with Potta. But, I think it has matured.
Anyway, I'll ask my brother, Eddy, to post. He might know more of the history and experience. He is one of the founding people of another Charismatic Experience in India called Jesus Youth
Cheers,
Alex
Hey Sherry -- I've never been to Potta and only have two anecdotal stories from close friends. For one, it was a life changing experience, an encounter with the Lord which brough the faith to life. For other (he didn't go to Potta, but to a DRC sponsored retreat near Bombay in college years ago), it ended up being a turn-off. All he heard was "you have to be perfect and a saint and follow all the rules. If you can't, well too bad."
My experience of the church in India -- which is limited to three cities, all outside the Catholic heartland of the south, has not really been encouraging. But, that's just based on Mass and not much else!
I love the blog!
The priests and the voluenteers at Divine Retreat Centre are famous for abuse also. Never happened in the Christian, the Divine Retreat Centre under the leadership of Fr.George Panackel filed a lawsuit for 1 Crore rupees against the India Govt. The judge threw the suit. Where is their heart? Money, Money and Money. At least 10 people died in their retreat, and many stories of people who became mentally ill.
Divine is the place to be! I've been there 13 times and I can vouch for that. It is heavily and totally grounded in the Catholic faith and is faithful to the Catholic church.
Post a Comment
<< Home