Lahore: October 14, 2015. (Pervez Yousaf) Mariam Sideeqa Custody Pakistan organized a celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi at St. Mary’s Friary Gulberg Lahore. The theme of this splendid event was “St. Francis of Assisi and Nature”. Archbishop of Lahore His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM was the chief guest on this occasion while a number of Capuchin and Diocesan priests, Sisters and lay people also attended this programme The celebration began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Custos of Mariam Siddeeqa Custody Pakistan Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap whereas Fr. Clarence Hayat OFM Cap and Fr. Francis Sabir OFM Cap were the concelebrants. Students of Capuchin House Lahore served as Choir and the Servants of Altar during the Holy Mass. During the Holy Mass Rector of the St. Francis Xavier’s Seminary Fr. Asif John recited the Holy Gospel while first reading was presented by an FTL Sister and second reading was presented by a student of the Capuchin House Lahore. In his homily Fr. Morris Jalal referring the encyclical of Holy Father Pope Francis emphasized the relationship between nature and the life. He explained the theme of Mass in an excellent and precise manner. He said that likewise St. Francis of Assisi our Holy Father Pope Francis also loves the nature and through his encyclical he has appealed the world leaders to take urgent and necessary measures to conserve nature. After the Holy Mass His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw, Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap, Fr. Emmanuel Asi, Fr. Renato, Fr. Derrick OMI, Fr. Benjamin Joseph, Fr. Morris Jalal OFM Cap, and Fr. Qaisar Feroz OFM cap, planted trees in the compound of St. Mary’s High School as a symbolic gesture to conserve nature like St. Francis of Assisi. Fr. Shahzada Khurram OFM Cap and Fr. Ashfaq Anthony OFM Cap were the masters of ceremony during the Holy Mass. To depict the love of St. Francis with the nature a beautiful social event was also organized after the Holy Mass. During this event students of Capuchin House Lahore, FTL and FCJ Sisters and Capuchin Youth Group of Kot Lakhpat, Lahore presented magnificent tableaus which touched the hearts of all the guests and participants. The archbishop appreciating the entire event and specially the performances of youth and sisters during the social event said that Almighty God created the universe and relations. He loves all His creations and following His commandment we should also love the nature and all the relationships. In his words of appreciation and vote of thanks to all the guests and organizing teams Fr. Nadeem said that following the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and in the light of encyclical of the Holy Father we should also take care of our environment and we must not forget that if we conserve the nature it will also protect us. Fr. Nicholas Hakim OFM Cap and Fr. Ashfaq Anthony OFM Cap were the anchor persons during this part of the celebration of the feast. It is worth mentioning here that the Church and arena for the social event were decorated by Fr. Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap, AC Sisters of Lahore Cantt and youth group of St. Joseph’s Church Lahore Cantt.