Friday, 22 August
Addressing the faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall for his weekly General Audience on 20 August, Pope Leo XIV turned his thoughts once more to the world’s many conflict zones.
In recalling the upcoming liturgical commemoration of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on Friday, 22 August, the Pope invited the faithful to celebrate that day by praying and fasting for peace.
“Mary is the Mother of the faithful here on earth and is remembered as the Queen of Peace,” the Pope said.
As our world continues to be wounded by wars – in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in other parts of the world – the Pope invited all the faithful to take part in “a day of prayer and fasting” for all those who suffer because of war, “imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts.”
“May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace,” he added.
Pope Leo also greeted Polish-speaking faithful making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa at Jasna Góra, who were attending the audience.
“I ask you”, he said, “to include in your intentions the supplication for the gift of peace – a peace that is disarmed and disarming – for the whole world, especially for Ukraine and the Middle East.”
On this day of prayer and fasting for peace we suggest you use the following prayers as a guide.
The Rosary
We have a guide on how to prayer the rosary here.
Pax Christi – Daily Prayer
Thank you loving God
For the gift of life
For this wonderful world which we all share
For the joy of love and friendship
For the challenge of helping to build your kingdom.
Strengthen
My determination to work for a world of peace and justice
My conviction that, whatever out nationality or race, we are all global citizens,
on in Christ.
My courage to challenge the powerful with the values of the Gospel
My commitment to find nonviolent ways of resolving conflict-personal, local, national
and international
My efforts to forgive injuries and to love those I find it hard to love.
Teach me
To share the gifts you have given me
To speak out for the victims of injustice who have no voice
To reject the violence which runs through much of our world today.
Holy Spirit of God
Renew my hope for a world free from the cruelty and evil of war, so that we may all come to share in God’s peace and justice.
A prayer for Sudan
Listen to us, Lord,
hear our prayers as we cry out to you.
Comfort and sustain your people.
Open the paths of peace.
At this time of conflict in Sudan,
we pray for those
who have been forced to flee their homes
and search for safety.
Open the paths of peace, Lord.
We pray for those
who face hunger and disease,
who have lost friends and family,
who endure in this time of crisis.
Open the paths of peace, Lord.
We pray for those
who are working tirelessly
to support our sisters and brothers
as famine looms and violence persists.
Open the paths of peace, Lord.
Guide us to stand alongside one another
and through our prayers and actions,
keep the people of Sudan
always in our hearts.
Amen.
