Shimoga Youth Discover Faith and Leadership Through Rural Immersion

Shimoga, April 29, 2026 : Thirty young people from across the Diocese of Shimoga stepped beyond the classroom and into village life during a four-day exposure camp that blended faith, service, and leadership formation at St. Francis Xavier Church, Kable.

Organised by the diocesan Young Christian Students and Young Student Movement (YCS/YSM), the camp centred on the theme, “See, Judge, Act – Towards Value-based Christo-centric Leadership.” It sought to help participants engage with rural realities while deepening their Christian discipleship and social commitment.

The programme began with orientation sessions and group activities that fostered participation and reflection. Introducing the YCS/YSM methodology, Fr. Franklin D’Souza encouraged the students to observe society attentively, discern in the light of the Gospel, and respond with courage and compassion. Sessions on self-esteem reminded the young participants of their identity and dignity as children of God.

Prayer remained at the heart of the camp. Daily Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and spiritual reflections, animated by Fr. Roman Pinto, provided a strong foundation for the experience, helping participants root their activities in Christ.

A distinctive feature of the camp was its emphasis on service through Shramadhana. Students undertook manual labour, including clearing dry leaves and working on the old church farm. The hands-on experience highlighted the dignity of labour and nurtured solidarity with rural communities.

The youth also embarked on a walking pilgrimage to a nearby hill crowned by a historic cross. There, Fr. Pinto reflected on Christ-centred leadership, urging the participants to become leaders guided by Gospel values rather than worldly ambitions.

Interaction with local farming families offered further opportunities for learning. Students participated in agricultural work, handling natural manure and assisting in farm tasks. Conversations and evaluation sessions with villagers deepened their appreciation for rural life and the challenges faced by farming communities.

Creativity and social awareness found expression through debates, skits, and cultural programmes. A lively discussion on the merits of city life versus village life sparked critical reflection, while performances addressed pressing issues such as children's rights, substance abuse, and environmental protection.

The camp concluded with a nature meditation and a Thanksgiving Eucharist celebrated by Msgr. Stany D’Souza, Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Shimoga. In his homily, he challenged the youth to become authentic witnesses of Christ in their schools, parishes, and villages by embodying peace, love, service, and forgiveness.

Inspired by the words of Pope Francis in Christus Vivit — “Do not bury your talents” — the participants returned home renewed in faith and equipped for mission.

The village exposure camp proved to be more than an educational programme; it was an encounter with Christ in prayer, in work, and in the faces of the rural poor, preparing a new generation of leaders committed to transforming society through Gospel values.

By Catholic Connect Reporter