Brian Gill September 7, 2023September 7, 2023 0 Comments Archbishop of Lahore, Archdiocese of Lahore, Catholics in Pakistan, Fr. Asif Sardar, Fr. Pascal Paulus OP, Lahore;, Ordination to the Priesthood, Pakistan

Understand the secrets of God’s Love, Archbishop Shaw

Lahore: Three Deacons of Archdiocese of Lahore namely, Dawood Akhtar, Raheel Shafqat and Salman Manzoor were ordained as a priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore on September 07, 2023, by Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM.

Archbishop Shaw presided over the Mass along with Very Rev. Fr. Asif Sardar, Vicar General of Archdiocese of Lahore, Very Rev. Fr. Pascal Polous OP, Vice Provincial of Ibn e Mariam Province of Pakistan and the clergy of the Archdiocese. A large number of faithful attended the Mass in a true religious spirit.

The first reading was taken from the Book of Jeremiah 1:5-10, the Second from Hebrew 4:14-16; 5:1-10, and the Gospel reading was taken from the 15th Chapter of St. John’s.

Also Read: Always stay strong in your faith, Archbishop Sebastian Shaw

In his homily, Archbishop said that “Today is a very rejoicing day for all of us as our God has given us 03 new priests and for this, we are thankful to God for His mercy and the parents of these young men who offer their sons to serve God and His people, he continued.

“Blessings and Grace of priesthood always comes from God and as we listen in 2nd reading, no one can get it by himself. God is Love itself and, therefore, loving Him necessarily involves a complete submission of your will to His. Perfect obedience to Him in all things is a powerful way of loving Him. It’s a way of allowing Him to dwell within you and, in that act, to take over your will, he added.

“As we listen in today’s Gospel, Jesus said that remains in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. This is a true kind of formation. There is not age of learn, you people learn from difference seminaries or formation houses but the main thing how much you understand the secrets of God. Love of God is not to stick you to the things you like but offer yourself to serve others”, he emphasized.

“Learn from the life of St. Paul. How he transform from Saul to Paul. He was great scholar of Fiqh, Pharisi, & Sharia. But when Jesus met him, he entirely changed himself and understands the voice of Jesus Christ. I must tell you that always hear the voice of God the he will surely be with you all the time”, he concluded.

About newly Ordained Priests
Fr. Dawood Akhtar belongs to St. John’s Parish, Youhanabad-Lahore. He started his seminary education/formation from St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Lahore. In 2014, he studied Philosophy from St. Francis Xavier Seminary, Lahore and then went to Rome for higher studies in 2018. He obtained degree in Dogmatic Theology in 2023.

Fr. Raheel Shafaqat belongs to Our Lady of Sorrow Parish, Kasur. He got his early education from St. Joseph’s High School, Kasur. He started his seminary education/formation from St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Lahore in 2010 and in 2013, he studied Philosophy from St. Francis Xavier Seminary, Lahore. He went to Christ the King Major Seminary in 2017 for Theology education.

Fr. Salman Manzoor belongs to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Hafizabad. He was born on 16th July 1993. He started his seminary education/formation from St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Lahore in 2010 and in 2017, he went to St. Francis Xavier Seminary, Lahore for studied Philosophy. He went to Christ the King Major Seminary, Karachi for Theology education. He is currently serving in Mariamabad Parish.