Divine Dhyana Illam, Coimbatore

The Divine Retreat Centre, Coimbatore began when Rev Fr John Kavunkal landed at Coimbatore and started his efforts by staying in a rented house at Ondiputhur. He was in search of a site for the Retreat Centre, and the present plot was purchased on 23 December 2002. It was Very Rev Fr George Arackal, the Superior General of the Vincentian Congregation, who laid the foundation stone for the Vincentian Ashram on 1 August 2003.

Early Development

The construction progressed steadily, and Mar Jacob Manathodath, the Bishop of Palghat diocese, blessed the house on 26 April 2004. To add momentum to the Retreat Centre, Rev Frs Mathew Naickomparambil, George Panackal and Antony Payyappally from the Divine Retreat Centre conducted a Bible Convention in the Alverna School ground, Coimbatore, for five days starting from 12 May 2004. It paved the way for one-day retreats on every second Saturday in Divine Dhayana Illam.

Very Rev Fr Varghese Parappuram, the Provincial Superior of the Marymatha Province, laid the foundation stone for the present Retreat Hall. Mar Jacob Manathodath blessed this hall on 15 January 2008. On 21 August 2008, residential retreats of four-day duration were introduced. His Excellency Rt Rev Dr Thomas Aquinas, the Bishop of Coimbatore Diocese, blessed the Perpetual Adoration Chapel and the renovated grotto on 11 December 2008 and 28 July 2009 respectively.

The Grotto and Relics

People from all walks of life come to this grotto in Coimbatore to recite rosaries and to find refuge in Mother Mary, the finest intercessor for their struggles. After the blessing of the grotto, the veneration of the relics of St Alphonsa began with greater solemnity. The residential block for the retreatants was blessed by Mar Paul Alappattu, the Bishop of Ramanathapuram Diocese.

Access

To reach the Divine Retreat Centre from the main road was a hazardous task in the rainy season, for the soil was absolutely clay. By the grace of divine providence, a non-Christian offered land free of cost to the Retreat Centre, and thus today there is a beautiful approach road. The newly constructed residential block, consisting of 32 rooms, was blessed by Rev Fr Paul Puthuva, the Provincial Superior of Mary Matha Province, on 26 September 2014.