The Holy Father Pope Francis has made a call for us to unite in prayer, asking for the gift of peace in response to the growing escalation of violence experienced by several countries around the world.
At the end of the Mass in St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the opening of the second session of the General Assembly, Pope Francis announced a Day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world on October 7th.
Additionally, the Holy Father announced a new visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, to raise a prayer for peace to the Virgin Mary, a visit in which he asked for the participation of all Synod members.
To invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the gift of peace, I will go to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore this coming Sunday, where I will pray the Holy Rosary and offer a heartfelt plea to the Virgin Mary.
Let us unite in prayer so that Our Lord Jesus Christ may accompany us in the search for paths of peace and harmony among all the peoples of the world.
Prayer of Holy Father Francis at the end of the prayer moment «Pacem in terris»
St. Peter’s Basilica, Friday, October 27, 2023
Mary, look upon us. We are here before you. You are Mother, you know our weariness and our wounds. You, Queen of Peace, suffer with us and for us, as you see so many of your children defeated by conflicts, distressed by the wars that tear the world apart.
It is a time of darkness. This is a time of darkness, Mother. And in this hour of darkness, we immerse ourselves in your luminous eyes and entrust ourselves to your heart, which is sensitive to our problems and has not been exempt from worries and fears. How much concern when there was no room for Jesus in the inn, how much fear when they had to flee quickly to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill him, how much anguish when he was lost in the temple. But, Mother, in trials you were brave, you were bold, you trusted in God and responded to worry with solicitude, to fear with love, to anguish with donation. Mother, in decisive moments you did not retreat, but took the initiative: you went without delay to see Elizabeth, at the wedding at Cana you obtained Jesus’ first miracle, in the Cenacle you kept the disciples united. And when on Calvary a sword pierced your soul, you, Mother, humble woman, strong woman, wove the paschal hope into the night of pain.
Now, Mother, once again take the initiative, take it for our sake, in these times battered by conflicts and devastated by weapons. Turn your merciful eyes to the human family that has lost its way to peace, that has preferred Cain to Abel and, losing the sense of fraternity, does not recover the warmth of home. Intercede for our world in danger and confusion. Teach us to welcome and care for life —all human life!— and to reject the madness of war, which sows death and eliminates the future.
Mary, many times you have come to meet us, asking us for prayer and penance. We, however, occupied with our affairs and distracted by so many worldly interests, have remained deaf to your calls. But you, who love us, do not tire of us. Mother, take us by the hand. Take us by the hand and guide us to conversion, make us put God back at the center. Help us to maintain unity in the Church and to be artisans of communion in the world. Remind us of the importance of our role, make us feel responsible for peace, called to pray and adore, to intercede and to repair for all of humanity.
Mother, we cannot achieve this alone, without your Son we can do nothing. But you lead us to Jesus, who is our peace. Therefore, Mother of God and Mother of ours, we turn to you, seeking refuge in your Immaculate Heart. We beg for mercy, Mother of mercy; we implore peace, Queen of peace. Move the hearts of those trapped by hatred, convert those who feed and foment conflicts. Wipe away the tears of children — in this hour they cry a lot —, assist those who are alone and elderly, support the wounded and the sick, protect those who had to leave their land and loved ones, comfort the discouraged, rekindle hope.
We entrust and consecrate our lives to you, every fiber of our being, what we have and what we are, forever. We consecrate the Church to you so that, witnessing to the love of Jesus to the world, it may be a sign of concord, an instrument of peace. We consecrate our world to you, especially we dedicate to you the countries and regions at war.
The faithful people call you dawn of salvation. Mother, open cracks of light in the night of conflicts. You, dwelling of the Holy Spirit, inspire paths of peace to the leaders of nations. You, Lady of all peoples, reconcile your children, seduced by evil, blinded by power and hatred. You, who are close to each one, shorten our gaps of separation. You, who have compassion for all, teach us to take care of others. You, who reveal the tenderness of the Lord, make us witnesses of his consolation. Mother, you, Queen of Peace, pour the harmony of God into hearts. Amen.
