Man of Miracles on six day Divine Mission

Contrary to popular belief, true miracles are not performed by the sleight of the hand but by bringing solace and comfort to the tortured and dispirited souls, heralding divinity in thought and action.

Father Augustine Vallooran is such a divine person. He will be in New Zealand next week to conduct an ‘Open-to-all’ six-day, full-time Mission.

The Devine Retreat Centre (DRC) of New Zealand is organising the Mission at the Christ the King Church in Owairaka (Mt Roskill) from October 8 to 13.

The Mission will commence on October 8 with a Holy Mass led by Most Reverend Bishop Patrick Dunn at 1130 am. The Retreat will be held on the following days from 1 pm to 8 pm.

Dr Augustine is the Founder and Director of the Divine Retreat Centre (DRC) in Potta, Muringoor in the South Indian state of Kerala.

While St Vincent de Paul established the Vincentian Congregation in 1904, the Potta Ashram began in 1977 and soon outgrew its facility and moved to Muringoor, along the banks of the Chalakudy River.

Officials claim that more than 100 million pilgrims have visited the Centre since 1990, making it the largest in the world.

Father Augustine visited New Zealand five years ago and encouraged people to “understand the essence of God and life,” and realise the most significant words of God: “Rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks.” New Zealanders hailed his visit as ‘remarkable’ and ‘transforming’ (Indian Newslink, September 15, 2006).

Spiritual Feast

DRC NZ Chairman Wenceslaus Anthony said the forthcoming Mission would be a ‘spiritual feast’ that should appeal to people of all faiths.

“We pray that all are touched by our Lord during this Mission. There is much to be done in the New Zealand society,” he said.

Fr Augustine said he was spiritually committed to his Mission to proclaim ‘God’s Word’ and renew the lives of the people in Auckland and the World.

“I would like the faithful in Auckland to experience in this Retreat deep faith in God’s Love, filled with the Holy Spirit. They would experience renewal in their lives. I hope the DRC NZ Movement (a Lay Apostolate of the Diocese of Auckland) would build a community of faith and love rooted in Christ,” he said.

A postgraduate in Theology and a doctorate in Philosophy, Fr Augustine is a Professor of Philosophy at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary in Alwaye, Kerala.

He is also Vice-Chairman of Divine Television, a 24-hour free Christian Gospel Channel, currently broadcast in Canada, Europe, Middle East, UK and the US. The service is scheduled to commence in India on November 20, 2011.

The Channel can be accessed online through DVN Online TV.

Singing Couple

The Mission will include ‘Divine Singing Couple’ Glen and Teresa La’ Rive, one of the core ministry leaders at the Retreat.

A former long-haired, jean-attired rock singer, Glen gave himself to the service of God after hearing ‘His Call’ and the general advice of the late Mother Teresa to “Sing the Glory of God, not your own glory.”

“I did not understand these words but while attending a retreat at the DRC in India, I heard the voice of God again. My life changed then,” he said.