Lahore (AsiaNews) – This Holy Year "calls upon you to experience God’s mercy on the altar of the Church. Become channels of peace and compassion, in our country torn by terrorism,” Brother Yagoob, head of pastoral outreach at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, told some 200 young people who had gathered to celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy.
Fr Joseph Shehzad led the Mass on 23 January before a congregation of students from St Joseph High School and the Sacred Heart Cathedral High School as well as their parents and teachers.
During the offertory, the students held up signs with Bible verses that referred to mercy. At the end of the service, they went out through the Holy Door of the cathedral, which was built 109 years ago.
Following Pope Francis, Pakistan’s bishops have opened many holy doors for the Jubilee of Mercy and planned events throughout the Holy Year. Lahore’s cathedral for example is offering monthly Bible lectures centred on the topic of mercy.
In his message for the start of the Jubilee, Mgr Sebastian Shah, archbishop of Lahore, urged the faithful to observe the sacraments, going to confession and taking the Eucharist.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Sister Magdaline Yaqoob, principal of St Joseph High School, said that the kids need to follow guidelines for the Holy Year.
"Students were asked to select their own verses whilst preparing for Mass,” she said. “Young people are compassionate by nature and we should stimulate their interest towards others through different activities."
