Lahore: November 15, 2012. (Fr. Inayat Bernard) “When I looked at the photo of my home parish St. Anthony’s Lahore I was reminded of my youth days when we used to go to the church and at this church I was baptized for which I feel to be a proud Lahori”. These were the words of Sr. Marie Cecil the provincial of Congregation of Jesus and Mary; the first congregation of which came to the sub-continent in 1856 even before the beginning of the diocese which took place in 1886. After cutting the ribbon of the photo exhibition, she remembered all the missionary fathers, sisters along with the local catechists, teachers and the laity who played their role to bring the Archdiocese where it stand today. She said that we are a minority in Pakistan and sometime the persecuted one, yet we made enormous progress which is visible from the photos of the parish houses, bishops, convents, housing schemes, Marian grottos, formation houses, seminaries and other institutions as well. She said that one pictures is equal to 1000 words so the purpose of the exhibition has been rightly achieved. It is a wonderful work which Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap along with his team has presented. She talked to the youth and said that we are standing in the hall of St. Anthony’s High School, Lawrence Road. Lahore and we have brought this history to this stage and now it is your work to carry on this work of evangelization. She encouraged them to come forward and join the religious life to continue since we have lived fully. She asked the youth to look at the photos peacefully and make a promise to continue this noble task. At the end she said that lot of effort has been made and she was shocked that this exhibition was only for three days. She said it should go on for weeks and months so that the whole Archdiocese can witness what has been done. Fr. Andrew Nisari; the Vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lahore paid tribute to the missionaries and assured the 800 audience composed of fathers, sisters, catechists, teachers and school boys and girls that the sacrifices made by them have brought fruit and today we are able to look back and appreciate their services in all fields of life. He said that he agrees with Sr. Cecil that the time is short and it will be extended after the consultation with Mr. Maxwell Shanti; the principal of St. Anthony’s High School, Lahore. He thanked the missionaries and the local clergy on behalf of the Archdiocese and Lahore’s Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, OFM who was in the Bishop’s Conference going on at the same time in the city. He asked the youth to take up their responsibility of continuing the good work which has been started form 1886. In the introduction read in English and Urdu was said that the these pictures narrate the story of the origin and the existence of the Archdiocese of Lahore. Through these pictures we get a glimpse of those missionaries who with the support of our forefathers laid foundation of the Catholic Church and constructed these magnificent buildings. They not only worked for the faith formation of the laity but also toiled to eliminate illiteracy and poverty. Fr. Francis Nadeem; the chief organizer of the exhibition said that the Archdiocese had made an organizing committee of the jubilee event extending to three days and today is ht first day inaugurated with the photo exhibition. He said that there is no doubt that Lahore Archdiocese has provided the country a number of great educationists, doctors, scholars, intellectuals, social and political leaders who have played and are playing an important role for the social and economical uplift of the nation and the country. Around 300 photos displayed in this three days’ exhibition include churches, parish houses, convents, formation houses, schools, special homes, institutions, centres and housing schemes within the 8 districts of the Archdiocese of Lahore. The school boys and girls had dressed up in the habits of 21 congregations and 10 Orders in the Archdiocese of Lahore. The 16th November evening is scheduled to have a vigil with the youth of the Archdiocese while the closing Eucharist Celebrations will take place on the 17th with the presence of the Catholic and protestant bishops and dignitaries. At the end of the mass the awards will be given to the 21 Congregations’ heads, 9 Orders and the priests who have completed 25 years of their religious service and the catechists as well with some deceased laity who have played a distinguished role for the Archdiocese in any field.