Christian Youth Faith Formation Seminar
Theme: "Significance of Holy Week and Easter"
Date: April 10, 2025

Venue: 125-B. Pak Arab Housing Scheme, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan 
Organized by: Peace Center, Lahore
Number of Participants: 35 Christian youth members

Fr. James Channan OP shared the Introduction of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and with it he gave the introduction of Fr. Mughal Peter OFM. He said that today I am glad because to Fr. Mughal Peter OFM is present here as speaker to talk with Christian Youth on the of Significance of Holy Week and Easter. Today is a great joy for me as Dominican priest that Franciscan priest Fr. Mughal Peter OFM is with us in our Dominican Peace Center. He shared that The Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominican Order, is a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic de Guzmán in the early 13th century. Officially established by Pope Honorius III in 1216, the Order was created to preach the Gospel and combat heresies through a life of study, prayer, and apostolic ministry. The Dominican way of life is marked by community living, liturgical prayer, intellectual formation, and preaching. With a strong emphasis on education, Dominicans have founded and served in many universities and schools worldwide. The Dominicans and Franciscans are two of the most influential and longstanding religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church, both founded in the early 13th century. Their historical relationship has been shaped by shared missions, differences in emphasis, and occasional rivalry, but also a profound mutual respect rooted in their common commitment to Christ, preaching, and poverty.

• Franciscans: Founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. Known formally as the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), they emphasized poverty, humility, care for the poor, and love for creation.
• Dominicans: Founded by St. Dominic de Guzmán in 1216. Known as the Order of Preachers (OP), their mission was preaching, teaching, theological scholarship, and combatting heresies.

Both founders knew each other and had immense mutual respect. They even met personally in Rome around 1215–1216 and supported each other’s missions.
Key Similarities

• Mendicant Orders: Both took vows of poverty and relied on alms, distinguishing them from earlier monastic traditions.
• Evangelical Zeal: Focused on preaching and living the Gospel in urban centers.
• Missionary Spirit: Spread Christianity across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
• Education and Theology: Both orders founded schools, universities, and became intellectual leaders in the Church.

Today, Dominicans and Franciscans often work together, especially in:

• Interfaith dialogue
• Peacebuilding
• Education and theological research
• Ecological and social justice efforts

Fr. James Channan gave introduction for Fr. Mughal Peter, OFM, highlighting his roles as a professor and current Director of DarulNaeem. Fr. Mughal Peter has served as a professor and rector in various Franciscan seminaries and formation houses across Pakistan. Notably, he was Rector of DarulNaeem in Lahore, where he guided novice friars in their spiritual, theological, and pastoral training. Since at least August 1, 2023, Fr. Peter held the key leadership position at DarulNaeem, overseeing the novitiate in Lahore. In this role, he supervises the religious formation of candidates entering the Order of Friars Minor.

• Spiritual Director & Rector: Offers ongoing formation and mentorship to Franciscan novices.
• Administrative Oversight: Directs curriculum, retreats, and recruitment activities at the formation house.
• Custos/Provincial Coordination: Balances his duties as Provincial (Custos) with hands-on educational and formative engagement at DarulNaeem.

Now he is serving as Director (Rector) of DarulNaeem in Lahore, where he plays a vital role in training future Franciscan friars.
Fr. Mughal Peter is a Franciscan friar priest from Pakistan. As a member of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), he serves as the Custos/Provincial—the head of the Franciscan Province encompassing Karachi, Hyderabad, and Lahore.

• Born: 4 June 1968
• Ordained: 13 September 1996 

After his formation and ordination, Fr. Peter joined the OFM and committed himself to serving the church community through leadership, pastoral work, and religious formation.
As Provincial, Fr. Peter oversees Franciscan friaries and ministries across the three dioceses. He provides spiritual guidance to local friars, helps coordinate pastoral outreach, and ensures the Order’s activities align with Franciscan values of simplicity, fraternity, and service.

Fr. Mughal Peter, OFM, is a respected Franciscan leader and priest whose leadership as Custos/Provincial supports the growth and outreach of the Order of Friars Minor in Pakistan’s major dioceses. He was ordained in 1996 and continues to embody Saint Francis’s spirit through pastoral care, formation, and community service. With this Fr. James Channan OP invited to Fr. Peter Mughal OFM to talk on the theme of Significance of Holy Week and Easter.

 Fr. Mughal Peter OFM
Peace and blessings to each of you. It is a joy and privilege to speak with you today on a theme that lies at the very heart of our Christian faith —Significance Holy Week and Easter. These sacred days are not just events in history; they are a living reality that continue to transform lives, invite us into deeper relationship with Christ, and call us to be witnesses of hope and resurrection in the world.

Goals of the Seminar

• Deepen the youth’s understanding of Holy Week and Easter
• Inspire personal reflection on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection

What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the final week of Lent and the most sacred time in the Christian liturgical calendar. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. It commemorates the Passion (suffering), death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why is it Significant?
Holy Week invites us to journey with Jesus through His final days on earth. It’s a time to:

• Deepen our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice
• Strengthen our personal relationship with God
• Renew our commitment to living as disciples

The Journey through Holy Week

1. Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry

• Scripture: Matthew 21:1–11
• Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey — the crowd welcomes Him as King with palm branches.
• Spiritual Message: Christ enters not as a political conqueror but as the humble Prince of Peace.
• Reflection: Do we welcome Jesus into our lives with the same joy, and do we recognize Him as King in our daily choices?

2. Holy Monday to Wednesday – The Days of Preparation

• Jesus cleanses the temple, teaches, and confronts religious hypocrisy.
• Judas agrees to betray Jesus.

 Spiritual Message: These days call us to self-examination and repentance.

• Reflection: Is my heart a temple for the Lord? Where do I need cleansing and renewal?

3. Holy Thursday – The Last Supper and Institution of the Eucharist

• Scripture: Luke 22:14–20; John 13:1–17
• Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and institutes the Holy Eucharist.
• Spiritual Message: The Eucharist is the heart of Christian life — a gift of love, humility, and service.
• Reflection: How do I serve others as Jesus did? Do I appreciate the gift of the Eucharist?

4. Good Friday – The Passion and Crucifixion of Christ

• Scripture: John 18–19
• Jesus is arrested, tried, tortured, and crucified at Golgotha.
• Spiritual Message: Through His suffering, Jesus took upon Himself the sin of the world and redeemed humanity.
• Reflection: What does the Cross mean for me personally? Do I recognize the depth of God’s love in Christ’s suffering?

5. Holy Saturday – The Silence of the Tomb

• A day of silence and waiting — Jesus is in the tomb.
• Spiritual Message: Even in silence, God is working. Holy Saturday teaches us about trust and hope.
• Reflection: Can I remain faithful when God seems silent in my life?

6. Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Scripture: Matthew 28:1–10
• Jesus rises from the dead, conquering sin and death.
• Spiritual Message: The Resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith — it brings new life, hope, and victory.
• Reflection: What areas of my life need resurrection? How can I live as an Easter person?

The Impact of Easter on Our Lives Today

1. Easter is a Call to Faith

• We are invited to believe in the Risen Lord, even when we cannot see.
•  Like Thomas, we are called to say, “My Lord and my God!”

2. Easter is a Call to Witness

•  Just like Mary Magdalene and the Apostles, we are called to proclaim the Good News.

 Our lives should reflect the joy and hope of the Resurrection.

3. Easter is a Call to Transformation

• Christ’s Resurrection brings power to overcome sin, fear, and despair.
• As youth, you are called to be Easter people — full of life, joy, courage, and mission.

Practical Suggestions for Living Holy Week and Easter Meaningfully

• Participate in Liturgies – Don’t miss the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil.
• Read the Passion Narratives – Pray and meditate on the Gospel accounts of Holy Week.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation – Seek God’s mercy and healing before Easter.
• Acts of Service – Serve the poor, comfort the lonely, forgive those who hurt you.
• Share Your Faith – Use your words and actions to share the joy of the Resurrection.

Conclusion:
Holy Week and Easter are not just traditions — they are encounters with the living Jesus. Let us walk with Him in His suffering, die to sin, and rise with Him into new life. May the power of the Resurrection transform you and send you out as courageous disciples in a world that desperately needs the hope of Christ.
Token of Thanks

By Fr. James Channan OP
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the youth leaders for their enthusiastic participation and meaningful contributions to today’s seminar. Your active engagement and thoughtful reflections in line with the theme have added great value to our collective learning experience.

A special word of thanks to Mr. Tanveer Yaqoob, Asher Nazir, Madam Neelan Nisari and Mr. Pascal Shahbaz for their inspiring presence and relevant sharing, which deeply resonated with the purpose of our gathering. We were truly honoured to have Rev. Fr. Mughal Peter OFM with us as our keynote speaker. His insightful presentation, grounded in the teachings of the Holy Bible, offered profound spiritual guidance and strengthened our Christian faith. We are sincerely grateful for his time and dedication. I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the presence of Mr. Tanveer Yaqoob, Chairman of the Christian Care Foundation, who joined us as a partner in this important initiative. His support and encouragement are deeply valued. This seminar would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our dedicated team at Peace Center. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Asher Nazir, Executive Secretary, and Ms. Neelum Nisari, Program Manager, for their outstanding organization, communication, and coordination. Their commitment and hard work ensured the smooth execution and success of this event. May God bless all of you abundantly for your continued efforts in promoting peace, unity, and faith.

Prepared by:
Asher Nazir
Executive Secretary
Peace Center, Lahore
October 10,2025