On Tuesday 20 September 2016, Pope Francis has called for the observance of a Day of Prayer for Peace. The day of prayer coincides with the Holy Father’s visit to Assisi in Italy on 20 September. The day will centre around the theme, ‘Thirst for peace: faiths and cultures in dialogue’.
Representatives from different religions will meet the Holy Father upon arrival in Assisi, including His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople; a Muslim representative; His Grace Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Syro-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch; a Jewish representative; and the supreme Head of the Tendai (Buddhists), Japan.
The representatives will join Pope Francis for lunch with a number of victims of war.
The moment of prayer for peace will take place at 4pm (Rome time) in the lower Basilica of St Francis’ Church. There will be an ecumenical prayer for Christians in the presence of representatives from other religions. All participants will gather at St Francis’ Square for a closing ceremony.
Pope Francis will deliver an address followed by an appeal for peace. There will be a moment of silence in memory of the victims of war, an appeal for peace will be signed with the representatives from other religions. Two candles will be lit and followed by the sign of peace. Pope Francis will then return to the Vatican.
Parishes, schools, healthcare facilities and workplaces across Australia are invited to take a moment to pray for peace on Tuesday 20 September. Below is the peace prayer to St Francis of Assisi.
Prayer to St Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Posted on 15 September 2016.
Source: ACBC media blog.
