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Northeast India’s Youth Pasch Concludes with Brahmaputra River Cruise

By CM Paul |

Seven hundred young participants from across Northeast India concluded their five-day Holy Week retreat with a symbolic Easter morning river pilgrimage on the Brahmaputra river, marking the 18th edition of Youth Pasch.

Organized by Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Guwahati, the annual retreat offers young people a space for spiritual renewal, reflection, and fellowship.

Youth Pasch immerses participants in the Paschal Mystery—the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus—through engaging liturgies, prayer, dramatic enactments and interactive sessions. This year’s event, held from 16 to 20 April, embraced the Salesian Jubilee Year theme, “Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People,” under the retreat’s central focus, “Journeying with Jesus.”

“Youth Pasch has given me a renewed sense of purpose,” shared a participant from Meghalaya. “I came here searching for answers, and I leave knowing that faith is about walking with hope, even in uncertainty.”

Opening on Wednesday, the retreat welcomed students from across the region with icebreaking activities and an address from Fr. Cletus Sebastian, Executive Director of DBI. Holy Thursday featured meditative prayer, and Praise and Worship sessions led by the DBI team, followed by insightful talks from Fr. John Barman MSFS, Director of the North Eastern Regional Youth Commission. The day culminated in a solemn reenactment of The Lord’s Supper, leading into Eucharistic adoration presided over by Salesian Provincial Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal.

Good Friday events started with Salesian Fr Bivan Rodrigues, Vice Provincial of Guwahati leading prayer and meditation followed by Praise and Worship held in the amphitheater leading to enacted way of the cross culminating in the live crucifixion on Oil India Hill. Penitential service and celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation was followed by Good Friday service led by Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati. The evening concluded with Easter Cantata, a lively musical performance on Jesus’ last days by a guest troupe from northeast India.

“Carrying the cross through the streets made me realize how much love and sacrifice shape our faith,” reflected a participant from Manipur. “It wasn’t just a re-enactment—it was a call to live with compassion.”

Holy Saturday continued with meditative devotions led by Fr. Klisterwel Songthiang, culminating in the Easter Vigil, presided over by Fr. Raj Kapoor, Chancellor of the Guwahati Archdiocese.

The retreat culminated on Easter Sunday with the solemn Eucharistic Celebration led by Fr. V.M. Thomas, Founder-Director of DBI. Following Mass, participants embarked on the Galilee Experience, symbolically retracing Jesus’ post-resurrection moments in a two-boat pilgrimage on the Brahmaputra River—bringing the retreat to a powerful and reflective close.

Easter Sunday’s Galilee Experience saw participants symbolically retracing Jesus’ post-resurrection moments in a two-boat pilgrimage on the Brahmaputra, closing the retreat with deep reflection and celebration of Easter joy.

“Sailing on the Brahmaputra felt like stepping into the Gospel itself,” shared a participant from Arunachal. “It reminded me that faith is a journey, not just a destination.”

Now in its 18th year, Youth Pasch continues to be a transformative space for young people, deepening their faith and fostering meaningful connections within the vibrant Easter message.

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