Vocation Camp in Guwahati: Ten Days to Discover One’s Calling and the Love of the Canossian Community

Guwahati (India) – Within the rich and complex cultural fabric of India, the country’s Northeast often remains on the margins of broader geopolitical narratives. Yet it is a region beating with spiritual vitality and hope. The state of Assam, and especially the city of Guwahati, serves as a crossroads of peoples, languages, and religions — a place where the Catholic Church’s mission takes tangible form through education, evangelization, and service to the poor.

It is in this context that the Canossian community of Guwahati organized and hosted a Vocation Camp—a ten-day spiritual retreat designed to accompany a group of young women on their journey of vocational discernment. Some of the participants were already on the path toward consecrated life, while others came from nearby villages, seeking guidance and clarity. All were united by a shared desire to understand God’s plan for their lives.

Immersed in the Canossian Spirit

The vocation camp was more than a formative experience—it was an inner journey into the heart of the Canossian Charism. The participants learned about the life of St. Magdalene of Canossa, Foundress of the Daughters of Charity, and found inspiration in her unwavering dedication to serving the poor.

Through catechesis, prayer, group work, personal testimonies, and community activities, the young women explored the core elements of religious life: consecration, fraternal living, the vow of charity, and above all, the joy that comes from self-giving.

One of the most powerful phrases shared during the camp came straight from the words of St. Magdalene herself:

“Let us serve joyfully and with all our heart, knowing that it is Jesus we meet in the poor.”

Simple words—but ones that deeply touched the hearts of those who heard them.

“We Found a Family”

“We came here looking for answers,” one of the girls shared, “but what we found was much more: we found a family—a place where we are welcomed and loved for who we are, where faith is something we live together.”

Each day of the camp was marked by profound moments of spiritual life: Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, personal silence, and one-on-one time with a spiritual guide. The experience also included acts of service, such as visits to families in need, as well as joyful moments of celebration, singing, and fellowship.

“Our mission isn’t to ‘convince’ anyone,” one of the Sisters explained, “but to create a space where each young woman can truly listen—to herself and to God. A vocation isn’t forced—it is discovered, freely and joyfully.”