ASIA/PAKISTAN - WORLD MISSION SUNDAY – MISSION OF PROCLAMATION AND WITNESS WITH THE SIMPLICITY AND JOYFULNESS OF ST FRANCIS

Tuesday, 14 October 2003

Lahore (Fides Service) – In Pakistan Catholics celebrate the October month of mission in the company of Saint Francis of Assisi. Led by Capuchin Fathers in Lahore diocese the faithful find in the message of Saint Francis impulse for evangelisation and human promotion. “Francis went from town to town to preach the Gospel. He embraced lepers, the poor and our mission as Franciscan Friars is to walk in his footsteps”. The Missionary month and Mission Sunday will be lived with simplicity and joy.
Saint Francis took the Good News of Christ to the Muslim world in the 13th century at the times of the Crusades. He had a meeting with Sultan Malek el Kamel. And today his sons continue to bear witness to the living Christ serving in education, social development and travelling from village to village to provide Catholics with pastoral care.
In Lahore there was a special Mass on October 4th because it was St Francis’ feast day and also the 50th anniversary of Capuchin Father Daniel Suply’s religious profession. Half a century of presence and mission in Pakistan serving first as parish priest and then as vice provincial of the Capuchin province in Pakistan.
After the Mass Father Daniel was congratulated and given a display of song and dance on the Life of St Francis by hosts of children and young people. PA (Fides Service 14/10/2003 EM lines 38 Words: 478)


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