Lahore Archdiocese Prepares Jubilee Year of St. Francis Celebrations with Gathering of Franciscan Sisters

Around 50 religious sisters from various Franciscan communities in the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, met on April 23 with Archbishop Khalid Rehmat to plan the Year of St. Francis of Assisi celebrations.

The meeting was held at the Generalate of the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis in Lahore. Participants discussed proposals for spiritual, social, and environmental initiatives linked to the Jubilee.

A mass was celebrated during the gathering, focusing on themes associated with St. Francis, peace, fraternity, and service, and setting the tone for the planned observances.

After consultations, Archbishop Rehmat announced that the diocesan-level opening of the Jubilee will take place on May 22, 2026, with a Eucharistic celebration. Activities that follow will draw on the ecological and social themes of Laudato Si', with particular attention to environmental concerns.

In his address, Archbishop Rehmat said the witness of St. Francis calls for engagement and dialogue in times of conflict. “He shows us how to become agents of peace and to work toward a more just society,” he said. He concluded by describing St. Francis as a model for dialogue and reconciliation, noting the relevance of his message in contexts marked by division and violence.

Sr. John Allah Rakha said the meeting went beyond planning and encouraged participants to translate Franciscan values into concrete action.