8th Anniversary of Akash Bashir, Servant of God at Youhanabad

On January 31, 2022, Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore announced that the Vatican had accepted Akash Bashir as a Servant of God, paving the way for the first saint from Pakistan. Akash Bashir died on March 15, 2015, when suicide bombers attacked St. John’s Catholic Church and Christ Church of the Church of Pakistan in Youhannabad Lahore.

On March 14, 2023, there was a solemn Eucharistic celebration on the occasion of the 8th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Akash Bashir, Servant of God, at St. John’s Church Youhannabad, Lahore.

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His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw, the Archbishop of Lahore, presided over the celebration. Many priests, religious and faithful participated in the Holy Mass. Rev. Fr. Akram Javed, Parish Priest St. John’s Church Youhannabad, welcomed His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw, and all the priests, religious and faithful.

Fr. Akram Javed acknowledged and admired the priceless sacrifice of Akash Bashir, saying that the Servant of God, Akash was so full of love for God and his neighbor that he gave his own life. In his homily, the Archbishop thanked God for the beautiful and courageous witness of the faith of Akash Bashir to be taken as a model of strong faith in our lives. He thanked the parents of Akash Bashir, Mr. Bashir Emmanuel, and Mrs. Naz Bano Bashir for the integral faith formation of the servant of God.

After the Holy Mass, there was a solemn celebration to pay tribute to The Servant of God. In his remembrance, the Archbishop lit a candle of hope, faith, and love with the parents of Akash Bashir and all the priests. Lighting up their candles from this candle all the faith sang songs and prayed together to pay tribute to the servant of God.