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The first seed for a Retreat Centre

It was during a Charismatic Leaders Seminar held at the Diocesan Community Centre, Gole Dakkhana, on 26th August 1995, the prominent lay preacher Bro. Thomas Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit asked the Leaders present, to pray for a Renewal Centre in Delhi. As a result, the first seed for the Centre was sown.

True to what the Lord spoke through prophet Amos, the then Chairman of the DST in the year 1996, Mr. Cyril John received a confirmation in a vision during personal prayer about the Renewal Centre. Following this, the Delhi Crusaders, the Intercession Ministry of the DCRS, was asked to keep this intention in prayer.

Shaping Up

In the year 1999 Mr. Cyril John and the Delhi Service Team sensed that the Holy Spirit wanted to work for a Retreat Centre and identified 7 acres of land in Burari (the present Jeevan Jyoti Ashram). Receiving the mandate from the late Archbishop Alan De Lastic, in the second half of 1999, a team comprising of the then Episcopal Advisor to the Renewal in Delhi, Fr. Susai Sebastian, Fr Johnson Kizhakkeveettil, Mr. Cyril John and two members of the DST, namely Mr. Gilbert Faria and Mrs. Aleyamma V.M. was formed. After extensive search all over Delhi, they finally identified the present plot in Ibrahimpur, Burari in the beginning of 2000. On 3rd March, 2000 the then Archbishop Alan approved the proposal submitted by the Delhi Service Team for acquisition of the plot in Ibrahimpur, Burari. The total cost of the land worked out to Rs 1.5 crores and on 14 August, 2000 first installment of the land was paid.

New hands, New responsibilities

December 2000 saw a new DST Chairman Mr. Thomas Antony who took on the responsibilities from his predecessor Mr. Cyril John. The tough task of acquisition of 5.30 acres of land, which started in 2000, was completed by Mr. Thomas Antony and his team on 13th of December 2001, at a cost of Rs.1.2 crore with the help of generous donors/supporters and a bank loan. In December 2001 DST started praying and working hard on generating funds for the construction on the land. Countless people, known and unknown, offered prayers, rosaries, Masses and sacrifices, both material and spiritual, for the setting up of the Centre.

The Centre gets a name

On 2nd October 2002, Archbishop Most Rev. Vincent M. Concessao laid the foundation stone for the Renewal Centre. The name given by the Archbishop for this Centre was “Jeevan Jyoti Ashram” – (The Light of Life - ‘To light the flame of God’s Life-giving Fire in every seeking heart’).

Regular programs started at Jeevan Jyoti Ashram thereafter in makeshift arrangements. In December 2003, the leadership of the Service Team changed from Mr. Thomas Antony to Rev. Fr. Ignatius Mascarenhas (now Bishop of Shimla and Chandigarh). During this era, the thrust of efforts and prayers were focused mainly on raising funds to pay the EMI of the bank loan of Rs. 1 lakh per month. Help came by way of funds from Jeevan Jyoti Partners and generous benefactors.

The Planting

On 21st March 2004, Rev. Fr Charles D’Souza, Financial Administrator of Delhi Archdiocese and Fr Ignatius performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of construction in the Retreat Centre Land. On 25th July 2005 with the support of Archdiocese and the benefactors, the construction of the double storey residential building-cum-chapel completed.

Archbishop Vincent M Concessao and Bishop Anil Couto blessed and inaugurated the building on the 19th August 2005 and 24 hours Eucharistic Adoration started in the chapel.

First Director

Rev. Fr. Santosh Vazhappally, a young Diocesan priest and preacher was appointed as the Director for the Jeevan Jyoti Ashram and Rev. Fr. Manuel K., a religious priest from the order of Missionaries of St. Thomas (MST) as the counselor. Two intercessors from the Kingdom Ministry of Bro. Thomas Paul also stayed at the Ashram to help out for 24 hours Adoration. Testimonies of healing and miracles, started pouring in at Night Vigils every second Saturday.

Row of changes in Leadership

The year 2006 witnessed a string of changes in leadership, as Fr. Ignatius Mascaenhas was transferred as Rector, Minor Seminary in Kauli, Chandigarh in July; and Mr. Joseph Thomas succeeded Fr. Ignatius Mascarenhas as caretaker Chairman for one month, followed by Mr. KC Mathew from August in the same year. Fr. Susai Sebastian was again appointed as the Spiritual Director of DCRS.

After a long period of prayers and efforts, the first major Charismatic Convention materialized in the Jeevan Jyoti Ashram in October, 2006. In December 2006, Mr. Anand Mathew was discerned as the new Chairman of DST. The DST was discerned on 30th November, 2014 and Mr. Cyril John emerged as the Chairman.

7th North India Charismatic Convention – A Turning Point

The year 2008 was a turning point, as the Lord blessed DCRS to conduct the Seventh North India Catholic Charismatic Convention from 10th to 12th October, at Jeevan Jyoti Ashram, for which an amazing crowd of approximately 8000 participants thronged the Ashram. Thousands experienced the love of the living God and many miracles were witnessed during the convention.

Construction of Residential Building-cum-dining hall, A Dream Comes True

The DST felt the need to construct a residential building and approved the recommendations and the plan submitted by the Building Committee under the leadership of Mr. George KA. Accordingly a bank loan was applied and arranged to construct the residential building to accommodate 150 people. On 1st January 2009, Fr Susai Sebastian blessed the site, and long awaited construction of the same started in the year 2009 and has been completed in the year 2017.

Yet another milestone, A Convention Hall

In February 2009, Fr Jose T.J the Director Jeevan Jyoti Ashram laid the foundation stone, for a Convention Hall. Mr. MJ Joseph, of MJ Technical, helped us to erect a metallic shed with a seating capacity of 1000 people, within a short period, and the hall was inaugurated on 13th March 2009 during the Golden Jubilee Preparation Convention by Archbishop Vincent M Concessao.

Golden Jubilee Mega Charismatic Convention

The Lord blessed DCRS to host the Delhi Archdiocesan Golden Jubilee Mega Charismatic Convention at Jeevan Jyoti Ashram from 2nd to 4th October 2009 where six Bishops gave the Gospel message.

The convention was attended by a great crowd including many priests and religious. DCRS had been given the responsibility to coordinate all the Spiritual Programs in preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the Archdiocese and 14 programs were conducted in different languages for the benefit of many.

How it began?