Magis 2018- a Gathering of Catholic Youth and Youth Animators at St Xavier’s College-Gulbarga
Mangaluru: Magis – A Gathering of Catholic Youth and Youth Animators with the theme ‘Youth Ablazed with the Spirit”, a first of its kind in North Karnataka was inaugurated by Most Rev Robert Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga at St Xavier’s PU College in Sirnur, Gulbarga. Magis is a youth gathering that has been organized for the youth since many years in Bangalore and Chennai attracting hundreds of youth across the country. However, for the first time, this venture has reached the doors of hundreds of North Karnataka youth belonging to the dioceses of Gulbarga, Belgaum and Bellary. Along with these, students from other Jesuit institutions across Karnataka have joined the event. Magis in Latin means ‘More’.
This term with its spirit which is very dear to the Jesuits has been the inspiration to call this event ‘Magis’. Fr Prashanth D’Souza SJ, the youth coordinator for North Karnataka Jesuit Missions is the organizer of the event. Hundreds of youth who joined the event from most parts of Gulbarga, Bijapur, Raichur, Bellary, Belgaum and Bidar districts marched together with their Magis badges and flags during the inauguration. Most Rev. Robert Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga celebrated the Eucharist. After the Eucharistic celebration, there was the formal inauguration of the Magis 2018. Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, the Rector of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru was the chief guest. Addressing the youth, he said that they must have self-awareness which leads to social consciousness and critical thinking. He invited the young minds to become responsible citizens.
Most Rev Robert Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga, the president of the programme told the youth to achieve their dreams. Fr Prashanth D’Souza SJ explained the meaning of Magis and the five pillars of the programme. In the afternoon the youth were divided into 20 groups and an animator was appointed to each of the groups. Fr Prem D’Souza, OFM, Fr Harry Victor and Fr Clevan Gomes, the youth coordinators of Bellary, Belgaum and Gulbarga dioceses respectively were present for the event. This event owes its success to the collective collaborative work of the diocesan priests, Jesuits and other religious.
Fr Anthony Dass SJ and its team at St Xavier’s PU College, Gulbarga have taken care of all the arrangements with the help of other Jesuits who are working in North Karnataka Missions at Bijapur, Manvi and Mundgod. This Magis has paved a way to bring the youth together to instill in them communion and responsibility. This three-day event will end on 16th October, when Fr Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, the Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province will be the president of the programme.
