About 350 Catholic children gathered in Raikia, in Kandhamal district of Odisha in eastern India, from October 20 to 23 for a four-day camp focused on Christian faith, family values, discipline, prayer and challenges facing young people in a rapidly changing world.
Held under the theme “Rooted in Christ, Guided by Wisdom, Growing in Love,” the camp combined prayer, Bible reflection, group activities and practical learning to help children deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and develop values for life at home, in school and in society.
Fr. Pradosh Chandra Nayak, parish priest of Our Lady of Charity Church in Raikia and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, urged participants to respect their parents and elders, practice discipline and place God at the center of their lives.
Addressing the children, many from rural backgrounds, Fr. Nayak cited Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
He explained that fearing God means loving him, respecting his commandments and choosing what is right, rather than living in terror. Drawing on Jesus’ obedience to Mary and Joseph, he encouraged children to appreciate their parents’ sacrifices, listen to teachers and elders, study diligently, speak the truth and help those in need.
Fr. Nayak also urged the children not to allow poverty to limit their aspirations, emphasizing faith, humility, discipline and perseverance as foundations for their future.
“Obedience to parents builds strong families, respect for elders strengthens society, and the fear of the Lord leads to wisdom,” he said.
Fr. Michael Behera, director of the Catholic Children’s Camp, said such gatherings help children develop faith, character, confidence and a spirit of service through prayer, reflection, fellowship and practical activities.
The program also addressed contemporary concerns affecting children, including excessive screen time, social media pressures, cyberbullying, online safety and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Organizers encouraged participants to put Christian values into practice through respect for family members, care for vulnerable people, environmental responsibility and peaceful relationships.
Simran Digal, a 10th-grade student attending the camp, said the activities helped children grow in faith, discipline and friendship.
“We learn to pray, respect our parents and elders, help one another and become better children,” she said. “The camp also gives us confidence and teaches us that God is always with us.”
The children also prayed for the good health of Pope Leo XIV during Mass.
The gathering highlighted the role of families and Church communities in supporting children’s spiritual, moral and social development, equipping them to face modern challenges while remaining grounded in faith.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
