Catholic Christian Retreat and Renewal Centers in Kerala, India

'Kerala' is termed and known as 'God's own Country'. Though this slogan is used as a promotional advertisement by the tourism department, this slogan is ironically very true. This small state in the southern end of India is specially blessed and chosen by God Almighty as HIS Own dear land with beautiful landscapes, lakes, sea shores, mountains, forests, abundant food and cash crops, sufficient rain fall and good climates. 

Two thousand years ago (in A.D. 52) one of the beloved Apostles of Lord Jesus Christ by name St. Thomas was sent to Kerala by God with His Good News (Gospel) of Salvation and eternal life. It is in this land where St. Thomas (locally called as Mar Thoma Sleeha) constructed the Holy Church of the Lord Jesus Christ by converting the local people by sharing the Good News of the Master with them.

Ever since then, majority of the Christian people of this land are good and true believers of the Lord not just for name sake, but at heart and soul.

It is an amazing fact that majority of the Catholic Priests and nuns serving for the spread and nurturing of the 'Kingdom of God' worldwide are from this tiny state.

Kerala is blessed to have so many vibrant and spirit-filled 'Catholic Christian Spiritual Retreat and Renewal Centers' that serve for the spiritual, physical, mental and social needs of people without any reservations of caste, creed religion or race. Thousands of people belonging to different religions and castes participate in these Prayer meetings and conventions and receive umpteen number of Spiritual, Physical and economical blessings from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is the list of the Leading Retreat centers that are serving not only the people belonging the Catholic or Christian communities but also of all religions.
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1. Divine Retreat Center, (Potta) Muringoor, Chalakudy, Kerala.

This is the first Retreat and Prayer Centre in Kerala and grownup to be the largest in the world. Divine Retreat Center founded by Rev Fr Mathew Naickamparampil and Rev Fr George Panackal is run by Vincention Fathers (VC) and is known as the Mother of all retreat centers not only in Kerala but also in India. It can accommodate thousands of pilgrims at a time to heal them physically, mentally and spiritually. Retreats are held in many major languages other than Malayalam every week (Sunday to Friday).

Address: 

Divine Retreat Center,           Phone: 0480-2708098
Muringoor P O,                      E-Mail: divine@md2.vsnl.net.in
Chalakkudy,
Kerala - 680316  

website: http://www.drcm.org/ 
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2. Sehion Retreat Centre, Attappady, Palakkad dist, Kerala.

   This retreat center is founded by Rev Fr Xavier Khan Vattayil, a missionary and healer of this time. Though it is being run in limited space and facilities, it is attracting huge number of devotees from around the world.

Address: 

Thavalom P.O.
Attappady, Palakkad, Kerala, India, Pin : 678 589

Phone : 0091 4924 253333, 253647

E-mail : director@sehion.org

website: http://www.sehion.org

Blogspot: http://sehionretreatcentre.blogspot.in/ _______________________________________________

3. IMS Dhyana Bhavan, Paravoor, Alappuzha

    This retreat center is run by IMS (Indian Missionary Society) fathers. Presently it is directed by Fr Prasant IMS.

Address:

Paravoor, Punnapra PO. Alappuzha,Kerala, India. PIN:688 004
Phone : 0477-2287372, 2287472,2287972
Fax : 0477- 2287471

E-mail : imsdhyanabhavan@yahoo.co.in, frprasant@imsdhyanabhavan.org

website: http://www.imsdhyanabhavan.org

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4. Charis Bhavan, Athirampuzha

     This is also one of the pioneer retreat centers started by Rev Fr James Manjackal MSFS.

Address: 

Athirampuzha P.O.
Kottayam, Kerala, India. PIN-686562
Phone: +91 481 2731911/2731912/2731913
E-mail : info@charisbhavan.org

website: http://www.charisbhavan.org

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5. Good News Retreat Center, Pambady, Kottayam.

    This center is being directed by Rev Fr Joseph Kandathiparampil HGN.

Address: 

Good News Retreat Center,

8th mile, Velloor PO, Pambady, Kottayam, Kerala. PIN -686501.

E-Mail: contact@goodnewstapas.org

           goodnewstapasretreat@gmail.com

website: http://goodnewstapas.org/

weblog : https://nelsonmcbs.wordpress.com

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6. Tabor Retreat Center, Ezhumuttom, Thodupuzha.

    This retreat center is also one of the first established in Kerala. Rev Dr (Fr) Augustian Pallikunnel founded and developed this in to a famous miracle center. Now Rev Fr Georgi Pallikknnel is directing it with the Divine Help.

Address: 

Tabor Retreat Centre,

Ezhumuttom PO, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India, PIN - 685605

Phones: 09544767260, 09447824554, 04862-262167

E-Mail: taborezhumuttom@gmail.com

website: http://www.taborretreatcentre.org/
Blog     : http://www.taborretreatcentre.org/blog/
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7. Marian Retreat Center, Anakkara.

    This retreat center is functioning in Kanjirappally Diocese is providing physical, mental and spiritual healing to a number of participants. Rev Fr Dominic Valanmanal is the Director.

Address: 

Marian Nagar, Anakkara PO, Idukki dist, Kerala, India. PIN- 685512

Phones: 04868283765, 09656141917
            09526022213, 09526022214

E-Mail: mail@marianretreatcentre.org


website: http://marianretreatcentre.org/
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For a list of Popular Catholic Christian Retreat and Counselling Centers in other states of India like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, Delhi, Jarkhand etc please check this blog: 

http://christtotheworld.blogspot.in/p/christian-retreat-renewal-centres-in.html

Enter the Holy Week, the very precious time in the Christian Calander devoutly

The Holy Week is the most important and Holy time in the Christian Liturgical Calendar. It is the last week of the Lent. It starts with Palm Sunday and ends on the Holy Saturday. Palm Sunday is also known as 'Passion Sunday'. This week offers a final opportunity for the ‘lost lamb’ to return to the ‘flock’ of the Good Shepherd for gaining eternal life, which is a ‘free gift’ from the Divine Savior. Those faithful failed to make a good confession in the past (for weeks, months or years) can utilize this golden chance to make it and wash their sins (however great they are…!) free of cost, in the Mercy of the Redeemer of the humanity.

In the Holy Week, the Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and the GOOD FRIDAY are the most Holy Days that are to be observed with extreme Penance, Prayer, Abstinence, Forgiveness and Charity. These days are holidays in most countries and it is advisable to spend these days in devotion. It is very essential for every Christian to observe these days with silence as days of mourning and thus indirectly profess our Faith and Love for our Savior Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us all strive to make use of this Holy Days to return to our Ever Loving Beloved Divine Father, who is anxiously waiting for the prodigal son's home return.

Who knows whether we will get one more chance, if we miss this...!