For six days, more than 2,000 faithful read the Holy Scriptures non-stop in a church. Members of other religious denominations were also invited. For Fr Pascal Paulus, this way, Jesus’s message can be spread.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) – The Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan is currently holding its third, 24-hour Bible reading marathon at the Church of the Holy Rosary in Waris Pura.
Over a period of six days, more than 2,000 faithful will read the sacred text, from the Book of Genesis to the Apocalypse, without interruption.
On Monday, Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad kicked off the event by reciting the first words of the Bible.
He was followed by Emmanuel Asi, director of the Bible Commission of Pakistan; Fr Pascal Palus, parish priest of Waris Pura; and Abrar Sahotra, head of the St Jerome Bible Study Group.
So far, thousands of Christians have participated in the event, which according to the schedule should end tomorrow at 10 pm.
“What a great experience it is to read the Holy Bible together with so many people,” said Abrar Sahotra speaking to AsiaNews. “Everyone could easily feel the holy atmosphere in the church. This event is just historic and people will remember it for good.”
The St Jerome Study Group usually devotes itself to community reading of the Bible during Lent.
“Since 2015, we, at the Holy Rosary Parish, have completed the reading of the Bible in 43 days,” Abrar Sahotra explained. “Our mission reading the Bible is to pray so that peace prevails in the world. Reciting the Bible every day lightens up people's hearts."
“We feel blessed and fortunate that our parish has been chosen," said Fr Pascal Paulus. The first Bible marathon was held in Mariamabad parish while the second took place in Karachi.
"This year we not only invited Catholics, but also groups from other denominations in the city,” Fr Paulus explained. “I feel immense joy that many have joined us.”
What is more, for the clergyman, "By reading the Bible we are spreading a message of love, peace, forgiveness and harmony to the world, as taught by our Lord Jesus who laid down his life for us on the cross and showed his greatest love for humanity.”