(ANS – Kotagiri) – Forty young Salesians celebrating their quinquennium of priestly ordination gathered at Mount Don Bosco, in Kotagiri, in the Nilgiri region of Tamil Nadu, India. It was an intensive six-day five-year retreat, held from 13 to 18 April 2026, organised by the Salesian Province of Chennai, India (INM). The retreat offered a special opportunity for spiritual renewal, deeper engagement with Scripture and fraternal sharing at a significant stage of their early ministry. Led by Fr Stephen, director of the Carmel Retreat Centre in Dharmapuri, the retreat centred on the theme: “Following Christ totally for the salvation of young people”. Through a series of profound reflections, the preacher highlighted three essential dimensions of priestly identity today: prophet, disciple and bearer of hope for young people. Participants were invited to rediscover their vocation as prophets who courageously proclaim God’s truth in a fragmented world; as disciples committed to ongoing conversion and intimacy with Christ; and as credible witnesses capable of inspiring hope among today’s young people, especially Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
