Marathon Bible reading in Pakistan in 15 languages

(Oct. 03, 2012) In Pakistan, a marathon of the Bible for six days and seven nights, with readings of all the passages from Genesis to Revelation in 15 different languages ​​by local and foreign believers will conclude on Saturday, (Oct. 6). The initiative was launched by Pakistani Christians at the Marian Shrine of Mariamabad, in the province of Punjab, on September 30. During the inaugural Mass Aux. Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Lahore, reminded all those present that "reading the Bible is a special gift that we have received from God and we must listen and act according to his word.”
The Bible Marathon 2012 has attracted hundreds of Catholics and Christians of various denominations from the four provinces that comprise the country. After the celebration of Mass , Bishop Shaw expressed pleasant surprise at the presence of many young people and children. He urged priests, sisters, catechists and the faithful to strengthen their love for the Bible and become real evangelizers. Referring to the closing ceremony of the Jubilee for the 125th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Lahore, scheduled for November 17, he added that the new evangelization will help them become promoters of the Holy Bible.
Bishops and representatives of the various Christian congregations began the reading of the first five verses of the book of Genesis each in their own language, including Hebrew, Latin, German, French, English, Italian, Maltese, Spanish, Arabic and Sinhala. Among the local languages read were Marvari, Balochi, Punjabi and Urdu. Particular emphasis was given to the Urdu language, starting with the first copy of the Bible printed in 2007 through a joint effort of the Pakistan Bible Society and the Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan.
The idea of ​​a Bible marathon was born in 2010 and Mariamabad was chosen because it is the focal point for the cult of the Virgin Mary. In this special week dedicated to the Word of God, the priests invited the Pakistani faithful to attend Mass, confession, pray the rosary and adore the Eucharist as part of the program.