Pope Francis renewed his appeal for peace in Syria and throughout the world on Wednesday, once again inviting Christians of every denomination, believers of every religious tradition and all people of good will to take part in the worldwide fast and vigil of prayer and penance for peace, which he has called for September 7th, the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, whom we venerate as Queen of Peace. First announced at the Sunday Angelus at the start of the week, many local Churches have already organized their own initiatives to mark the day. The Holy Father especially urged the faithful of Rome and pilgrims to the city to participate in the prayer vigil to be held in St. Peter's Square starting at 7 PM Rome Time and continuing until midnight. The Holy Father concluded, “May a powerful cry for peace go up from every land!”
Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of the full text of Pope Francis’ appeal.
"This coming Saturday we will live together a special day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world. I renew the invitation to the whole Church to live this day intensely, and even now I express gratitude to the other Christian brethren, to the brethren of other religions and to the men and women of good will who desire to join in this initiative, in places and ways of their own. I especially urge the Roman faithful and pilgrims to participate in the prayer vigil here in St. Peter's Square at 19.00, in order to ask the Lord for the great gift of peace. May a powerful cry for peace go up from every land!"Here in Houston, 7pm Rome Time will be 12 noon our time. You can check the World Clock for further information.
Dear Friends, together, let us fast and pray for peace!
PRAYER
TO MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE
Mary,
Queen of Peace, pray for us!
To
you, the first-fruits of humanity redeemed by Christ, set free at last from the
slavery of evil and sin, we raise together our heartfelt, trusting plea: listen
to the cry of pain of the war victims, of the victims of the many forms of
violence that bathe the earth in blood.
Dispel the shadows of sorrow and of loneliness, of hatred and of revenge. Open to forgiveness the minds and hearts of all!
Mother
of mercy and of hope, obtain for us the precious gift of peace; peace in hearts
and families, in communities and among peoples; peace above all for those
Nations where people fight and die every day.
Obtain
that every human being of every race and culture may encounter and accept
Jesus, who came down to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give
"his" peace to us.
O
Mary, Queen of Peace, give us Christ, the world's true Peace!
~Prayer of Blessed John Paul II
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