Celebrate World Peace Day

On September 21 we celebrate the International Day of Peace.

We know the world is deeply in need of peace. In the United States, we have seen more political violence and targeted arrests of anyone suspected of being an undocumented immigrant. Many people are living in fear.

We also remember that armed conflicts continue in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and many of the communities where Maryknoll missioners serve in East Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Pray

Read and share the prayer, Today let me live in peace.

Study

• Use our Study Guide on Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’s teaching on caring for one another.
• Learn about “Pope Leo’s Focus on Peace and Nonviolence” in the early days of his papacy.

Act

• Take three actions for Sudan: Click here to raise awareness, write to Congress, and send a message to the State Department.
• Join the Let Children Live campaign: Receive a name of a Palestinian child to lift up in prayer and advocacy.
• Tell Congress to Protect our Haitian sisters and brothers. Click here to send a message to Congress, asking for protection from deportation for Haitians.

Here are some ideas of things you can do individually or as a small group on International Day of Peace.

• Observe a minute of silence at noon wherever you are.
• Imagine something you could do to help make for a more peaceful world… and then do it.
• Learn or retell the story of Sadako Sasaki and her One Thousand Paper Cranes and fold a paper crane in her memory.
• Construct a Peace Pole. A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” usually in a different language on each side.
• Share a version of the “Golden Rule” in a faith tradition other than your own.
• Learn about Maryknoll Sisters Giang Nguyen, Sia Temu and Teresa Hougnon and their “peace building team” in Kenya.
• Display a peace symbol that helps you imagine a community and world at peace.
• Learn to say and write the word for “peace” in another language.
• Play a cooperative game at trainingforchange.org.
• Since International Day of Peace is also a “day of ceasefire”, try making peace with someone you have a conflict.
• Hold a prayer vigil for disarmament and light a candle with some friends or neighbors.
• Explore Campaign Nonviolence Action Days to find an event happening in your area on September 21-October 2.