The  programme  for  the Candidates belonging to SABS, UFC, CM, FSMA, CMC, FCC, SCCG and MMS was held at Clare Bhavan, Kacharigaon on 3 November 2019. The programme began at 9. 45 am  with a prayer by Fr. Benny James SDB, the president of CRI, Dimapur  Zone. The  candidates of  FCC  Kacharigaon  presented a welcome song, followed by words of welcome from Fr. Benny. He welcomed the gathering and presented a small gift each to all those accompanied the candidates to the centre.

The praise and worship session by two young Salesians from Salesian College namely Cl. Kadena Elow Mario SDB and Cl. Kamei Gaisinrei Elias SDB brought life and freshness to the gathering . Sr. Dila Veronica FMA, who was the M.C. of the programme brought liveliness among the young aspiring candidates to priesthood and religious life.
Fr. Sabu Joseph Chenackal the Director of Pastoral Centre , Dimapur gave the main talk of the day on the theme “The Joy of being a Candidate Preparing to Enter Religious Life”. He started his talk  with one Our Father and  seven  Hail Marys which gave a lot of insight to the listeners. His  talks were very much touching and inspiring. He spoke from his own life experiences: about the devotion to Mother Mary, confession, holy vocation etc. He invited the candidates to have a constant touch with the Lord through prayers. He emphasised that only then a consecrated person can be happy in his/her vocation. He quoted Bible passages to bring home the message of perseverance and commitment to vocation. He stressed on the importance of the virtue of humility in one’s life. He warned the candidates that pride and lack of obedience can destroy Holy Vocations. 

The second talk  began  after 10  minutes of  the Praise and  Worship.  Fr. Sabu  talked  about how a religious person can be a burden to the community and the society by being  a proud person and not obeying  the will of God expressed through their Superiors. He beautifully explained  about  Confession comparing it with the life of saints and the temptation of the evil spirits. He  said, “Every  Saint  has a past  and  every  Sinner has a future”. Meanwhile, Fr. Benny James SDB made himself available for confessions.  After the talk  and confessions one of  the candidates thanked  Fr. Sabu  profusely and we moved to the residence of the sisters for lunch.

The  third  session started  at 01.50 pm with action songs. In the afternoon session  Fr. Benny  encouraged  the candidates to share  their own experiences of vocation and their experiences as candidates preparing to be a religious. There  were  85 candidates attending the programme from  8  communities in and around Dimapur. One  candidate from each community shared his or her vocation story. Every one’s vocation story was unique, interesting and inspiring. There were also some who shared on the spot about their  vocation to religious life. Fr. Benny pointed out the central points of each ones’ sharing and explained in a very meaningfully the uniqueness of God’s  call.

Fr. Benny James SDB, the president of CRI Dimapur presided over the Holy Eucharist at 3.00 pm.  The Holy Mass was celebrated meaningfully and with much devotion. The Gospel of the day was enacted to bring home the central theme of one’s vocation. There was offertory procession with a short prayer raised to God seeking His blessing and guidance.  After the Mass the candidate thanked Fr. Benny and the sisters at Clare Bhavan Kacharigaon.  The  photo session and tea marked the end of events of the day.
By Srs. Sumita DC, Anjali DC and Mothina DC