Faisalabad, memorial Mass in the cathedral for the martyrs of Gojra
(September 12, 2009) Christians in Faisalabad celebrated a memorial Mass for the
martyrs of Gojra. The ceremony was held on September 9 at the Cathedral of Saints
Peter and Paul and was organized by Fr Yaqoob Yousaf, director of the Diocesan Centre
for catechesis, with the cooperation of the local Sant'Egidio community. Mass was
also attended by members of the pastoral team from the parish of St. Paul in Jaranawala,
led by Father Yaqoob, the Dominican Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters and a large delegation
of the faithful of the diocese. A giant poster depicting the faces of those killed
was placed near the altar, and many lit candles and offered flowers, as a token of
love and gratitude for the victims. During his homily Fr Yaqoob highlighted "the
courage of the people of Gojra" who "sacrificed their lives to bear witness to the
Christian faith. This type of attack and killing of Christians - said the priest
- is nothing new for the Church, because history is full of testimonies of martyrs,
who sacrificed their life for the Church." He finally added that "death will never
conquer our faith in Christ." In recent weeks in various churches and parishes of
Pakistan Masses were celebrated and prayers said to remember the dead and all minorities
persecuted because of their faith.