Peace be With You

Sunday, January 1st is the Roman Catholic Church’s World Day for Peace. On the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God, we will all be praying for much needed peace in a world all too often torn apart by senseless violence. Come and pray with us this Sunday morning at either the 8:30 or 11:00 AM Mass.

In his Christmas address, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on the carnage in Syria, offered up a lament of hope saying, “May the Lord come to the aid of our world torn by so many conflicts which even today stain the earth with blood.” Hours earlier, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria was bombed by terrorist killing 35 people. The world needs our prayers.

World Day for Peace is a gift solemnly given us by Pope Paul VI on January 1, 1968. Born out of a true conviction to live the Gospel life, Pope Paul pointed out that through Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross, he brought universal reconciliation to all, and called us followers to be peacemakers. Four decades later, in God’s name, we still pray.

From the Gospel’s precept to pardon and to have mercy, we can draw forces which will regenerate society. And above all. Venerable Brothers and beloved sons, we can possess a singular weapon for Peace, that is, prayer, with all its marvellous energies to raise moral tone and to invoke transcendent divine forces of spiritual and political renewal, and also the opportunity offered to each and every one to question himself interiorly and sincerely concerning the roots of rancour and violence which may lurk deep in his heart.

Let us strive, then, … by praying for Peace; praying all together, in our churches and in our homes-that is what We ask of you for now. Let no voice be missing from the great chorus of the Church and of the world, beseeching Christ Who was immolated for us to “Grant us peace!”

Excerpt from Message of His Holiness Pope Paul VI for the Observance of a Day of Peace, January 1, 1968