The Pastoral Counselling Course was held from July 17th to 24th, 2025, at NBCLC, Bangalore. A total of 27 participants attended the course, including 5 priests and 22 sisters from various congregations and states. The inaugural session began at 9:00 AM on July 17th and was led by Fr. John Baptist, Director of NBCLC, along with Fr. Nysson, Assistant Director, and Prof. Maxim from Montfort College of Psychology. The program commenced with a prayer song led by Sr. Vinnarasi and team, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Dignitaries from the diocese, priests, and sisters were present, representing the diverse group of participants. Fr. John Baptist welcomed Prof. Maxim, the main resource person, and Fr. Nysson set a reflective tone for the course with his talk, drawing on the story of the Samaritan woman from the Bible to highlight the spirit of pastoral counselling

The morning session, conducted by Prof. Maxim, was highly engaging and interactive. He introduced the participants to the fundamentals of pastoral counselling, including its meaning, essential qualities of a counsellor, counselling ethics, different types of counselling, and core counselling skills. He also highlighted common challenges faced in the counselling process, making the session both informative and thought-provoking. After a lunch break at 12:45 PM, the afternoon session resumed at 2:30 PM, facilitated by Mrs. Hotoli. She adopted a practical approach, involving the participants in pair work exercises to develop key skills such as building rapport, practicing empathy, and active listening through simulated counselling scenarios. For ease of coordination, the participants were divided into five groups, each with specific responsibilities throughout the course

On the second day, Dr. Ananthi, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator at Montfort College, led the sessions. She focused on practical counselling skills, including active listening, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Through live demonstrations and small group practice sessions, she guided the participants in applying these techniques effectively. She also provided valuable insights into the different phases of the counselling process, enhancing both understanding and practical experience.

The third day was led by Mrs. Hotoli, who continued with both theoretical and practical sessions centred on emotions and emotional regulation. Through interactive group activities, the participants learned to identify and understand their emotions better. The day concluded with a mindfulness exercise session that included guided breathing techniques, which were found to be very helpful.

The fourth day was facilitated by Bro. Mathew, Director of Montfort College. His session focused on introspection and personal responsibility. He encouraged deep reflection through personal activities and discussions, emphasizing that individuals are responsible for their own emotions, thoughts, and actions. He stressed the influence of past experiences on our current beliefs and behaviors and highlighted that unconditional self-acceptance is key to discovering our inner self, created in the image of God. The afternoon session was kept free, allowing participants time for rest or personal reflection.

The fifth day featured Fr. Tomy Joseph from Montfort College, who led discussions on mental health within a religious context. His sessions encouraged participants to share their concerns through interactive group discussions. Drawing from real-life examples, he shed light on the complexities of mental health in religious life and offered practical guidance for recognizing and supporting individuals facing such challenges. He emphasized the crucial role of superiors and Formators in offering support. The day concluded with tea and reflections on the enriching discussions.

On the sixth day, Prof. Maxim returned with a powerful session on self-awareness, focusing on self-image and identity. Through guided breathing exercises and group counselling practice, participants gained deeper personal insight. The afternoon session was led by Mrs. Mirudhula, who introduced the impact of childhood experiences on emotional development. She explained therapeutic approaches such as Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in an accessible manner. A lively Q&A session concluded the day.

The final two days were once again led by Dr. Ananthi. On the seventh day, she covered theoretical counselling concepts in the morning, followed by practical applications in the afternoon. She introduced breathing exercises to manage emotions such as anger and anxiety, and facilitated small group counselling practice sessions. On the eighth and final day, her focus shifted to family and couple therapy. She explained the different stages involved in family counselling and discussed the complexity of various family structures. The session ended by 11:30 AM. At around 12:30 PM, the certificate distribution ceremony took place, bringing a joyful conclusion to the course. The program ended with a heartfelt thanksgiving hymn, marking the end of a spiritually and professionally enriching experience for all participants.