MAGIS 2014

MAGIS 2014 was held in St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore from November 1 – 4. It was a gathering of about 700 young people from all over India to share this experience, not just as a camp but also as a life altering moment. The theme for Magis 2014 was “A FIRE THAT KINDLES OTHER FIRE”. The theme was chosen as a hope that we may light the fire within others, so that we may help put our lives into order and to achieve a spiritual balance which enables us to be free to choose what is more conducive to our praise, reverence, and service of God.

                This gathering began with the Holy Mass with Archbishop Bernard Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore as the main celebrant. Day one continued with numerous ice-breaking sessions organised by Fr. Brian Pereira SJ, Rector of St. Joseph’s College. The participants were divided into 24 groups for further activities and group dynamics were held to allow the MAGIS participants to get to know each other better. Fr. Paul Kallan led adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the participants were given the chance of reconciliation with penitential service held by the different priests. Various colleges that were participating in MAGIS also performed in the cultural program held in the evening, which included performances from the Gospel Addicts, Indian Dance team of the host college, etc.

                 The second day started with the holy mass and a talk by Fr. George Kannadanam, who is associated with Project Vision, an NGO that is working round the clock to encourage people to donate their eyes so that another may get a chance to see the world. Following the principle of “Let everyone see, he spoke extensively on the plight of the blind people who are treated as a burden and the hardships they have to undergo. Trying to understand the perspective of the blind, the MAGISians took part in a Blind Walk from Richmond Road to the St. Joseph’s Indian High school. For most it was a surreal experience as they were hindered by their lack of sight and couldn’t believe they had walked blindfolded. The MAGIS family got an opportunity to hear Akai, a transgender who was honoured by the President of India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Ms. Akkai, who was born as a man but identifies herself as a woman spoke about the harsh conditions in which the LGBTQ community survives. Considered unnatural, they face persecution at the hand of the society who either mock and ridicule them or turn them as sex objects for their pleasure. She begged the audience to at least let them be, to give them a fair chance to choose whom they love and to work. Condemning the draconian law of Section 377, Akai asked the people to consider them humans, fellow creations of God in a society where they considered criminals. After having taken the Group pictures in front of Vidhana Soudha, the groups dispersed to different parts of the city for the Human Rights campaign which sought to raise the level of consciousness of the people on various issues such as those against Child Labour, sexual Harassment, Pollution, etc. Later that day, Mr. John Devraj screened a documentary directed by him on manual scavenging- “Angels of Hell”. Accompanied by the children of BornFree Art School, Mr. Devraj endeavours to bring back the numerous homeless street children back to school so that many more child liberators would be created. Mesmerised by the talents oozing out of them, the Born Free Art School received a standing ovation for their efforts.

                      On the third day, the crowd assembled for morning meditation and prayer service. The groups went for their Magis experience to various places which included Old age homes, orphanages, mental institutions, cancer hospital, etc. Some groups were even asked to interview the citizens of Bangalore and the beggars. This was an opportunity for the Magis participants to interact directly with the different elements that make up our society. Magis is about deliberating on what to choose so that we may contribute our love and service for the better of the society. The Magis experience was an eye opener for most as we listened to the discarded and the oppressed. For us who enjoy comfortable positions in the society, it becomes our moral responsibility that we work towards the upliftment of these sections of the community. Games were organised by the Ignitors, where the participants played as groups and relied on their coordination and cooperation. During the campfire, the groups released fire paper lanterns into the sky to reaffirm their pledge of acting as agents of change for the better. Just as the fire lanterns spread their light, so would the Magis participants spread unity and harmony through service.

                   The last day was about recollection of the experiences of the different groups through power point presentations, dance, drama, etc. The groups shared their feelings on the whole MAGIS 2014 experience and the pledges they have taken. The Magis Circle was also organised where the members of the group wrote about each other in cards to have everlasting memories of these 4 days. The experience ending with the Magis documentary being screened. It may have been just for 4 days, but Magis was the start of a journey, our journey into the wide world to continue the work of our Lord. Since our college was the host of this mega-event, more than 65 AICUFers of our college actively participated before, during and after MAGIS 2014. 

                                                                               (Reported by: Anamika Horo, III Yr EPS)

Participants of MAGIS 2014 in St. Joseph's College, Bangalore