September 7 Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace

Pope Francis calls. Will you follow?

Here, translated, is a portion of the Holy Father's address of Sept 1st:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hello!

"Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: It is the cry for peace! ... Never again war!

"... In these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.... I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from deep within me.

"... To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite ... all people of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.

"On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 7:00 pm until midnight [Vatican Time], we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.

"Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: May she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!"

Note from BJ: At the liturgy for our Year One Opening Scripture Day (OSD) we will pray for peace in the words of the pope. I also invite our students to join me in the modified fast Catholics use for Holy Days: One large meal and one small snack, throughout the day. A full mid-day meal will be offered at the OSD: This will be my only significant meal for the day.

Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).

The entire address can be read at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/angelus/2013/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20130901_en.html