Over Eighty Sisters Attend Seminar on Sacred Heart Encyclical in Lahore

Fr. Shehzad Shareef OFM, a member of the formation team at Dar Ul Naeem, a Franciscan formation house in Lahore, led a comprehensive learning seminar for over eighty religious sisters from various congregations at the St. Paul Communication Centre on April 25, 2026.

Organized by the Major Superiors of women religious congregations in Pakistan, the gathering focused on the theological and practical implications of the encyclical Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), published by Pope Francis on October 24, 2024.

This seminar was organized as a vital component of the ongoing formation of religious sisters in Pakistan. The objective was to ensure that the sisters remain spiritually grounded and intellectually equipped to meet the evolving challenges of their various missions.

During the session, Fr. Shehzad explored the historical continuity of this devotion, linking the contemporary teachings of Pope Francis to the foundational work of Pope Leo XIII, who dedicated the world to the Sacred Heart in his 1899 encyclical Annum Sacrum (Holy Year).

The seminar provided a unique platform for the sisters to reflect on the core message of the text, which calls for a "return to the heart" as a remedy for a modern world marked by superficiality, consumerism, and the fragmented nature of the digital age.

Father Shehzad explained that the document describes the Heart of Christ as a "wellspring of truth and goodness" that allows individuals to overcome individualism and societal isolation. He emphasized that for Pope Francis, this devotion is the "living core" of the Gospel and a necessary foundation for social justice and peace.

Deepening this reflection, Father Shehzad emphasized that the encyclical is not merely a call to traditional devotion but a radical invitation to internalize what he described as the "revolution of tenderness." He explained that in a world increasingly dominated by "liquid" identities and algorithmic interactions, the Heart of Jesus serves as a stabilizing center that restores human dignity.

Throughout the day, the resource person engaged the participants with various interactive question-and-answer sessions. The sisters witnessed that this participatory approach was a highly helpful way to understand the complexities of the encyclical, allowing them to clarify theological points and discuss practical applications in their respective missions.

Sister Sobia Ashiq, of the Daughters of St Paul, said that the study of Dilexit Nos helped the participants understand that their service must flow from a deep, personal encounter with the love of Christ.

Sister Zarina from the Franciscan Missionary of Mary also shared her insights, emphasizing the importance of the "heart" in communal and missionary life. She noted that the seminar helped clarify how a heart centered on Christ can become a place of healing and encounter for others, especially those serving in difficult missionary contexts.

Sister Rena of the Daughters of the Cross and Sister Naina of the sisters of St. Joseph observed that the seminar, through the leadership of the Major Superiors, offered a path to rediscover the "poetry of love" in their religious life.

The seminar concluded with a renewed focus on integrating this spirituality into community life to foster reconciliation and service.