DTP 2026- An Initiative Of Jesus Youth Assam

LAMABARI, ASSAM — In the heart of Udalgiri, where the lush tea gardens meet the rolling hills of Northeast India, a powerful spiritual awakening is quietly unfolding. St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Lamabari, has become the vibrant epicenter of a transformative 10-day Discipleship Training Program, drawing 18 young souls into a profound encounter with faith, community, and purpose.

Organized by *Assam Jesus Youth, the intensive training has brought together 12 young women and 6 young men from vastly diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Yet, despite their different origins, the atmosphere is defined by a singular, undeniable unity. As one organizer beautifully noted, *”They come from different backgrounds, but they are entirely one in Christ.”

A Sanctuary of Hope and Education

The training is hosted at St. Francis of Assisi School, a beacon of hope in a region historically starved of educational opportunities. Founded just six years ago under the guidance of the Capuchin Fathers, the school has rapidly grown to accommodate over 500 students up to the 6th standard.

For the local community—primarily comprised of hardworking tea garden laborers—the school is nothing short of a miracle. Without its presence, the vast majority of these children would never have stepped inside a classroom. Today, it stands not just as a center for academics, but as the fertile ground where the next generation of Christian leaders is being formed.

Led by Faith, Fueled by Grace

The program kicked off with a deeply moving spiritual retreat led by *Advocate Bernard, a seasoned 12th-batch full-time Jesus Youth volunteer from Nagpur, alongside **Fr. Anil, a Capuchin priest. The spiritual momentum is set to elevate even further as *Vinish Scaria, a missionary from Kanjirapally, Kerala, arrives to spearhead the upcoming training modules.

The logistics and vision of the event are seamlessly steered by *Susanna, the dynamic Assam Jesus Youth Coordinator originally from Nagaland, and *Benedict, the dedicated Program Coordinator.

Supporting them is a massive, energetic contingent of Jesus Youth volunteers managing everything from powerful intercessory adoration sessions to vibrant, soul-stirring music. The campus is alive with the rhythmic beats of drums, guitars, and keyboards, creating an atmosphere of joyful, youthful praise.

Even creation itself seemed to mirror the spiritual refreshing; after an intense, sweltering heat wave on the 15th, a sudden, gentle downpour on the morning of the 16th swept over the parish, leaving the air cool, comfortable, and renewed—a fitting symbol for the grace pouring into the hearts of the participants.

A Beautiful Tapestry of the Universal Church

The Lamabari parish exemplifies the beautiful, interconnected tapestry of the Catholic Church. The parish is shepherd by *Fr. Kuriakose, a Capuchin friar whose pastoral heart animates the community. Working alongside him is the only community of the *Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) Sisters in all of Assam. This unique convent consists of four sisters: two hailing from the southern state of Kerala, and a young sister from Meghalaya who recently celebrated her vestition, symbolizing the beautiful blending of cultures for a singular mission.

This grassroots movement has caught the attention and full support of the hierarchy. During a recent visit with Archbishop John Moolachira of the Guwahati Archdiocese, the prelate expressed his deep joy over the initiative and announced his upcoming visit to personally encounter and bless the participants.

“The close, personal, and filial relationship shared between the Jesus Youth leaders, the local parish clergy, and the Archbishop is a shining testament to how co-responsibility in the Church can ignite true revival.”

As similar training and formation programs echo across various corners of India, the light burning brightly in Lamabari serves as a reminder that when young people surrender to God, barriers dissolve, cultures unite, and lives are permanently transfigured.
Praise be to God!