FOREWORD
After his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Pope Francis invited the Presidents of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to his ‘home’ for a prayer meeting for peace on 8 June 2014 at the Vatican in Rome. The Pope had asked the Church to pray for this unprecedented meeting that has focused
the attention of world public opinion.
On 6 June 2014, we launched the initiative UN MINUTO POR LA PAZ – ONE MINUTE FOR PEACE, in preparation for the meeting promoted by the Pope. We invited a prayer in the form of
testimony: short, simple, for everyone. The reception was significant in the various countries, in particular almost 10,000 adhesions were collected on Facebook in a short time.
During this year we have often remembered the words of Pope Francis on 8 June 2014
“This meeting of prayer for peace in the Holy Land, in the Middle East and in the entire world is accompanied by the prayers of countless people of different cultures, nations, languages and religions: they have prayed for this meeting and even now they are united with us in the same supplication. It is a meeting which responds to the fervent desire of all who long for peace and dream of a world in which men and women can live as brothers and sisters and no longer as adversaries and enemies.”
And above all, His prayer has become ours.
8 June 2015
Exactly one year later, on 8 June 2015, we propose to recall the meeting that took place on 8 June 2014, relaunching the initiative UN MINUTO POR LA PAZ.
There are many conflicts, too many weak and defenceless people suffer and die. The Pope emphasised: ‘World War III is underway, but in pieces’, we are aware that ‘building peace is difficult, but living without peace is a torment’. This is why we intensify our prayer and our commitment.
Concretely, we propose to each AC to invite all adherents . friends of other associations, confessions, religions, all people of good will from all over the world on Monday 8 June at 1pm, wherever they are, to stop, bow their heads and pray: at work, at school, at university, in the neighbourhood, in the family, with friends, in front of the parish. Even priests at this time are invited to come out of the churches into the street and pray for peace with the people. If two or three join in: it is better!
We propose to pray for peace with an intention of the faithful, during the Holy Masses on Sunday 7 June, inviting them to UN MINUTO POR LA PAZ on Monday 8.
Praying on Monday, when the week begins in many countries of the world, reminds us that we are called every day to be peacemakers, personally, in the family, in the group, in the Christian community. And every week the young people of ACI propose ‘I adore Mondays’!
We can make the initiative known with the online brochure, by word of mouth.
A Facebook page is active: un minuto por la paz to communicate and exchange experiences.
The first form of participation is to LINK to the page and invite friends
It is also active #unminutoporlapaz on twitter
We can communicate the initiative in the media, to other associations, social, interreligious ecumenical organisations.
Italian Catholic Action: One minute for peace with Bishop Mansueto Bianchi
In the photogallery initiative postcard available in 26 different languages.
