The Bible and Mission Study Summer Camp took place from 7 to 12 July 2024 in Pakistan at the National Catholic Youth Hostel in Ayubia. Approximately fifty people from five dioceses participated.
This week-long study of the connection between "Gospel and Mission" stems from the increasingly intense focus on the word of God on the part of the Catholic Biblical Commission of Pakistan, which promoted and implemented the initiative with the support of the Pontifical Missionary Union.
Eight topics were covered during the summer camp, each presented by a different speaker.
They have taken up the contents of the messages of the World Mission Days starting from 2017. And we list them specifically below:
1. Mission at the heart of the Christian faith (WMS2017) where it was underlined that the Church mission, directed to all men and women of good will, is based on the transformative power of the Gospel.
2. Together with the young people, let us bring the Gospel to all (WMS2018) and the concept that every woman and man are a mission was emphasized.
3. Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World (WMS2019). The speaker concluded the topic with these words: all Christians, men and women, are missionaries and, by virtue of their baptism, share in the Church's mission.
4. Here am I, send me (Is 6:8) (WMS2020) The topic of the session was the priesthood. God continues to look for those whom He can send forth into the world and the nations to bear witness to His love.
5. “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20)(WMS2021) The resource person highlighted the historic background of the Pontifical Mission Societies and recounted that Mary is the first believer, and for this reason she is called the Queen of the disciples.
6. “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) (WMS2022). To explain the verse, three points were discussed (1-Witnesses, 2-End of the earth, 3-Power of the Holy Spirit).
7. Hearts on fire, feet on the move (cf. Lk 24:13-35) (WMS2023) the resource person highlighted that a prophet is mighty in deeds and words before God and all the people.
8. Go and invite everyone to the banquet (cf. Mt 22:9) (WMS2024) It was highlighted that the mission requires everyone's commitment. We need to continue our journey towards a fully synodal and missionary Church at the service of the Gospel.
"Bible and Mission" was the theme of the summer camp, which served as a common thread not only for the presentations but also for all the activities and Eucharistic celebrations. Each day, the program included a morning meeting with the Word of God, listened to in a quiet setting, with the aim of deepening our understanding and using it for meditation.
The inaugural session opened with the Holy Mass, presided over by Father Samson Joesph Shahzad, while during the closing ceremony, held on 11 July 2024, the certificate of participation was awarded to the participants.
