Diocesan prayer for peace in Syria, elsewhere

Intermountain Catholic

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The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City

Pope Francis has proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer for the whole Church on September 7, 2013, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world.  Bishop Wester’s comments regarding this proclamation follow.

“To all Clergy, Religious, and Lay Faithful, 

Thank you for whatever plans  you have made to join with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and the universal Church this coming Saturday, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, to observe a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world. Given the urgency of this intention in our war torn world today and the depth of our Holy Father’s plea, I declare Saturday, Sept. 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, to be a day of fasting and prayer in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. It is my hope that this announcement will give our parishes time to organize opportunities for communal prayer and quiet reflection as we pray that the reconciliation brought about by Christ, who shed his blood on the Holy Cross, will become a reality for our brothers and sisters who are suffering so much in Syria, the Middle East and so many other regions of our world where violence and war are the norm. I especially ask that we join with our beloved sisters of the Holy Cross in exploring ways that we can be instruments of peace in this local Church in some practical way,  giving witness to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, from whose side flowed the living waters needed to drown the fires of war. May Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, who stood faithfully at the foot of the cross, intercede for us as she joins her prayers with ours that our swords will be turned into plowshares and our hearts will be reconciled as we proclaim the Gospel of peace, a gift the world cannot give.  +Most Reverent John C. Wester”