September 3, 2013
Pope Francis at his September 1st Angelus talk pleaded for all Christians everywhere to fast and pray for peace on Saturday, September 7, the vigil of the Nativity of Mary.
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 each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.
On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, 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.
Anyone paying attention to what is happening in the Middle East, the saber rattling going on between China and Japan over islands between them, and the wholesale slaughter of Christians in various African countries by the Muslims, to name but a few situations mankind is visiting upon itself, can see the need for a wholehearted response to the Pope’s call.
What are your parishes/dioceses/eparchies planning for Saturday? Can you stop the clock, so to speak, on your normal routine and bring friends and family to a prayer time? Is your parish priest willing to set up Eucharistic Adoration during the Pope’s hours so Catholics can participate in this effort? If not, can you watch one hour with Jesus as He asked His apostles to do in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Make no mistake about it. The wars we see all over the world are demonically inspired. Hatred for others is very strong, but God’s grace is far stronger. Are we not as Christians to love all? The Pope is asking each of us to do something extra to promote peace. My favorite demonstration is crowds on their knees before God in pursuit of the divine purpose of peace. Can we not do this small thing in the name of the Prince of Peace?
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R. Now and forever!
(Click on the link above to read why I end my posts this way.)
