Pakistan Catholics Honor St. Thomas with Pilgrimage to Ancient Christian Heritage Site

A group of over 50 pilgrims from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sargodha, central Pakistan, marked the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle on July 3, 2026, with a pilgrimage to the historic city of Taxila, an ancient cradle of Christianity in South Asia associated with the apostle's legacy.

The group traveled approximately 235 kilometers (146 miles) north from Sargodha to Taxila, a journey of about four hours by road, to reconnect with the historical foundations of their faith, seek spiritual renewal, and deepen their understanding of the region's Christian heritage. Throughout the journey, the pilgrims prayed the Holy Rosary, making the trip a true pilgrimage of faith.

The pilgrimage began at the archaeological ruins of Sirkap, an ancient Indo-Parthian city where tradition holds that St. Thomas preached during the first century AD. The pilgrims later participated in a Holy Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Taxila, celebrated by Fr. Waqas Shareef.

"St. Thomas reminds us that honest questions can lead to a deeper confession of faith," Fr. Shareef said. "His transformation from doubt to the profound declaration, 'My Lord and my God,' encourages us to remain steadfast, trusting in Christ even through times of personal and societal uncertainty."

Following the Eucharistic celebration, the pilgrims visited the Taxila Museum, where they explored the region's ancient history, Gandharan art, and cultural artifacts dating back to the first century.

The pilgrims also collected soil and water from the historic well at the Taxila site as sacred keepsakes to remind them of their rich spiritual heritage.

Patras Khan, a catechist and one of the pilgrimage's principal organizers, emphasized the spiritual and historical significance of preserving and visiting these sacred sites.

"Walking through these ancient ruins bridges the gap between Scripture and our local reality," Khan said. "It serves as a tangible reminder that our Christian identity in this land is not a modern import but dates back to the apostolic era, grounding our heritage and giving us the confidence to live out our faith today."

The pilgrimage concluded with prayers invoking the intercession of St. Thomas the Apostle for the protection of families and the strengthening of faith in daily life. The pilgrims reflected on the apostle's timeless profession of faith in the Gospel of John: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).