by Shafique Khokhar

Moments of song, prayer, meditation and fun activities in initiative organized by the vicar general. The evening was attended by over one hundred boys and girls, on the issues launched by Benedict XVI. An opportunity for children to "deepen the mystery of faith."

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - More than one hundred children of the diocese of Faisalabad, Punjab, participated in a meeting of prayer and spiritual formation called "The Catholic Faith" in the context of a series of events dedicated to the Year of Faith. The seminar was held in the Youth Hall of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on 20 April and it was an opportunity for communion and exchange for elementary and middle school students from all the parishes of the diocese of Pakistan. Prayers, songs, moments of reading and study of the Gospel took place throughout the evening, which the vicar general describes as an opportunity to "deepen the mystery of faith," through which "we can obtain resurrection and salvation."

The choir director Ashar Masih (pictured) taught the young people present the Urdu Hymn "Emaan ki Shama jalayen gey", dedicated to the light emanating from the candle of faith, which was followed by other gospel-centered music on peace, love and truth. The catechist Asif Babu then led the evening program with prayer and the reading of a passage in the New Testament (the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 13-8:10).

Afterwards, Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi - vicar general of the diocese of Faisalabad and promoter of the event - explained to the children the importance of faith, daily prayers such as the Act of Faith, the Ten Commandments and the Creed, together with baptism as an element of " purification. " Those present were also taught about the best-known and simple gestures of faith, like the sign of the Cross, the Holy Eucharist and the Seven Sacraments.

In the context of the evening, the organizers also thought about moments of fun and practical activities, linked to the teachings and the history of Christianity. That's why the children were divided into five groups, called to represent tables and illustrations taken from episodes of the Gospel among which the resurrection of Lazarus.

At the end of the evening Fr. Khalid blessed the young people, sharing refreshments with them. Interviewed by AsiaNews, the diocesan vicar explains that "after the announcement of the Year of Faith by Pope Benedict XVI (in the Apostolic Letter Porta fidei of 11 October 2011 ed), we decided to bring this message to all Christians, young and old ... and we just wanted to start with the youngest. I appeal to all to take part in these events, because faith is a difficult mystery to understand, but through which we can attain the resurrection and salvation " .

 

• pakistan
• year
• of
• faith
• children
• catechesis
• faisalabad