Divine Retreat Centre, Guwahati

With two retreat centres established in West Bengal, the Vincentian Congregation looked eastwards, and this is how the Divine Retreat Centre, Khetri, was established. The Congregation’s first foray was into Assam — the closest among the seven North-Eastern states. The first centre was built at Khetri, which is located about 39 km from Guwahati.

History

The Bishop of Guwahati, the Rt Rev Dr Thomas Menamparambil, invited the Vincentian Congregation to establish a retreat centre in Guwahati Diocese. Khetri is a beautiful village set in idyllic surroundings and was well chosen for this divine purpose. The Divine Retreat Centre, Khetri, is located atop a hill and is spread across eight acres of land. It has developed into a very popular centre where the faithful congregate for worship and praise of the Lord. Today retreats are conducted in many languages to cater to the spiritual needs of the communities in the region.

God’s ways are strange and wonderful. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and He works everything for our good. Circumstances have now changed, and the centre is growing by the day and functioning very well.

A Place of Prayer

The serenity of Divine Retreat Centre, Khetri, provides a conducive atmosphere for prayer. A pious atmosphere is also created by the presence of the Rosary mysteries on the way to the centre, the Stations of the Way of the Cross, and the Word of God written on coloured boards. Continuous intercessory prayers are offered at the perpetual Adoration Chapel, which can accommodate about forty persons. The cave-like chapel, exclusively meant for silent prayer, attracts many souls to contemplation and deep prayer.

The beautiful Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary draws people to pray the rosary in her loving presence. Besides this, there is the Grotto of St Joseph, the patron of the centre, the Grotto of St Vincent de Paul and St Alphonsa, and the statue of St Michael, where people pray for protection. There are separate buildings for men and women, with the capacity to accommodate over a hundred persons each. The first floor of the Ladies’ Building is the auditorium, with space for some two hundred and fifty persons, which is used for preaching.

Retreats

Every month, three residential retreats are conducted for the different tribes of the North East, such as Khasi, Khasi Pnar, Garo, Assamese, Hindi, Bodo, Tiwa, Karbi, English and Nagamese. There are good translators of English into the vernacular dialects. The number of participants varies from group to group. Special retreats for priests and the religious are conducted thrice a year, where the participants reach the maximum. Special retreats for groups such as novices, candidates, youth and catechists are also conducted.

From Friday to Sunday, a team of two priests and three sisters goes on outreach programmes to the parishes of the North East, as per the request of the parish. The Divine Retreat Centre, Khetri, extends its services outside the country as well.