ASIA/PAKISTAN - The youth of Pakistan: "Every baptized person is a missionary: this is our vocation"

Tuesday, 27 March 2018 mission easter youth christianity evangelization catholic movements ecclesial movements synod of bishops pope francis

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Sahiwal (Agenzia Fides) - The young Catholics of Pakistan express satisfaction and hope because the Catholic Church, through the Synod dedicated to young people, is interested in their future. This is what emerged from a recent seminar organized in the city of Sahiwal, in the Archdiocese of Karachi, where many young people and youth Pastoral delegates gathered to reflect on the theme of the Synod of Bishops "Youth, faith and vocational discernment" .
Ashiknaz Khokhar, coordinator of a youth group, tells Agenzia Fides: "I am pleased that the Church has given youth the opportunity to take part in a survey to let them know what they think and how the Church can help them grow in following of Christ. We are happy to hear that cardinals, bishops, priests, nuns and lay people are working to make the Synod of Bishops a truly participatory event that takes into consideration the various areas of the world. We in Pakistan are full of hope".
More than 50 young delegates from various parishes, movements and associations of the Archdiocese of Karachi took part in the Seminar. The Dominican Fr. Almas Silaas shared and illustrated the Pope Francis’ message for the Synod of Bishops, remarking: "The Church thinks of young people, cares and prays for them. The Holy Father is eager to involve young people in the Church, because he believes in youth. Pope Francis wants to keep his youth close to Jesus Christ and his Church".
Sister Saima Arthur, a Dominican religious, stressed that "young people are called to discern their vocation: all are called to serve the Church, walking towards holiness", urging young people to "focus on the life of prayer to play an active role in the Church and in society". Thanks to the guidance of Sister Sumera Inayat, the young Pakistani then spoke about the challenges they face in everyday life and in society. The nun told Fides: "We want our young people to work for a better future for their families and for the Church: when our young people will be able to have a good education and a good job they can serve the Church in a better way".
During Lent, the "Jesus Youth" association of Karachi launched a four-week initiative called "Lifestyle", with the aim of helping young Catholics to grow in their spiritual and sacramental life, to increase the awareness of being "missionaries" .
Ayyaz Gulzar, coordinator of "Jesus Youth Pakistan", told Fides: "The Synod of Bishops represents an enormous hope and blessing for young Catholics in Pakistan. The Church wants young people to always seek a special relationship with Christ, especially with Eucharistic celebrations, adorations and confessions and to live their spirituality also through social media. Today young people can bear witness to the Risen Christ through simple messages on social media". And he concluded: "The Pope urges young people to discern their vocation: this is our vocation: every baptized person is a missionary, and as missionaries we must proclaim our faith and bear witness to our Lord Jesus Christ". (AG) (Agenzia Fides, 27/3/2018)