Scottish Catholic Observer

Earlier this year, the Pope called for an event to commemorate the first day of Prayer for Peace in October 1986, hosted by Pope John Paul II, in January this year and Thursday’s pilgrimage—which has the motto: pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace— will see the Holy Father joined by religious leaders from across the world.

Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark has issued the following call of prayer ahead of the event.

“As the Pope has asked all Catholics to support this event with their prayer, it would be appropriate to mark this day, either on the day or on the following Sunday, with a moment of silence, and a prayer, such as the following one: ‘God of Peace, as religious leaders gather in Assisi on their pilgrimage for peace, we ask you to make this meeting a blessed and fruitful one, and to grant all your children the will and the ability to live with each other in peace,” Archbishop McDonald, above, said.

“We also pray for ourselves, that we may become messengers of this peace, in cooperation and solidarity with all our brothers and sisters in our own religion and others, of all beliefs and none. In a moment of silence, we pray for the gift of peace.’”

All Catholics are encouraged to support this day and its intentions by adding their own prayer for peace.