The Capuchin Formation House, Lahore, recently commemorated two significant events that reflect both its rich missionary heritage and its ongoing commitment to the spiritual and intellectual formation of young friars: the 137th Anniversary of the Capuchin Mission in the Archdiocese of Lahore and a Speech Competition in honor of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
Together, these celebrations highlighted the Capuchin charism of faith, fraternity, service, and evangelization in the Church of Pakistan.
1. Capuchin Mission in Lahore Celebrates 137 Years of Service and Evangelization
The Capuchin fraternity joyfully observed the 137th anniversary of the Capuchin missionary presence in the Archdiocese of Lahore, recalling 1888, the year when the pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese was officially entrusted to the Capuchin Missionaries.
The celebration began with a solemn Holy Mass offered by Rev. Fr. Faryad Munir OFM Cap, expressing gratitude for the unwavering dedication of the early missionaries whose sacrifices and zeal laid the foundation for the Capuchin mission in Punjab.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the brothers attended an informative historical session that revisited the missionary journey, challenges, and achievements of the pioneering Capuchins. The talk renewed in the young friars a deeper appreciation of their spiritual heritage and a strengthened commitment to the Franciscan values of simplicity, humility, fraternity, and service.
The commemorative event concluded with prayers for the continued growth of the Capuchin mission, fidelity to the Gospel, and renewed enthusiasm for serving the Church in Pakistan.
2. Speech Competition Held in Honor of Christ the King
On 23 November 2025, the Capuchin Formation House organized a speech competition to celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, fostering spiritual reflection and intellectual formation among the students.
The program opened with an invocation prayer led by Ikhlaq Sarwar, followed by a Bible reading proclaimed by Ishaq Imran. The event then featured inspiring speeches delivered by Capuchin students — Samuel Emmanuel, Rohail Roop, Junaid Azam, and Christopher John. Each speaker reflected on themes of Christian discipleship, the Kingship of Christ, and the call to witness Christ’s reign through faith, love, and service.
Uplifting hymns honoring Christ the King, sung by the Capuchin students, deepened the spiritual atmosphere and invited participants into a moment of worship and praise.
Fr. Faryad Munir OFM Cap, Assistant Rector, addressed the audience with words of encouragement, appreciating the students’ preparation and urging them to grow in confidence, spiritual maturity, and pastoral sensitivity.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr. Imran Saleem OFM Cap (Rector), who expressed gratitude to the organizers, participants, and community members for their contributions to the successful event.
The speech competition proved to be a valuable platform for strengthening communication skills, theological understanding, spiritual growth, and fraternity among the young friars.
These twin celebrations, honoring the 137-year missionary legacy and nurturing the formation of future Capuchins, reflect the vibrant spirit of the Capuchin presence in Lahore. The Formation House continues to uphold its mission of preparing committed men of faith who carry forward the vision of St. Francis of Assisi and the missionary zeal of their predecessors for generations to come.
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