Prayer for the World September 16, 2026
Prayer for Peace and an End to Violence
Introduction: Next Monday, September 21st is World Peace Day. Let us call to mind our corporate commitment to prayer, study and action towards the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction and the resolution of conflict through diplomatic and peaceful negotiations. We do this on behalf of human rights, justice and peace. Pope Paul VI’s message on the occasion of the 5th World Peace Day included the following statement: “If you want peace, work for justice.”
Song: https://youtu.be/IvAJ51WIqcY?si=BVdWvN-GxqjSlLRo Santa Maria del Camino
As you go through life,
You are never alone;
With you on the way,
Saint Mary goes. [1]
Come as we journey along our way, Santa María, come.
Come as we journey along our way, Santa María, come. [1]
Even if some tell you
That nothing can change,
Fight for a new world,
Fight for the truth. [1]
Come as we journey along our way, Santa María, come.
Come as we journey along our way, Santa María, come. [1]
Reading for Reflection on Luke 1:46-55
Mary’s Magnificat is a bold prophetic statement that is both a political denunciation of the empire and its culture of greed, war, and injustice and a proclamation about the God of peace and all that God is doing and will do for justice and peace throughout human history (including today!). … Like Mary and Jesus, we too will have to become prophetic peacemakers who proclaim a new Magnificat to the world of injustice and war.
Through this proclamation, Luke invites us to announce that, contrary to what the culture of war and greed says, God is a God of mercy and peace…
As we learn to proclaim our own magnificats throughout our lives, we boldly denounce injustice, war, greed and violence of every kind…(and) announce the coming of a new age of justice, equality, liberation, and peace. …We explain that this is the work of God, that this is what holiness looks like, that God has remembered mercy and nonviolence, and we should too.
(Adapted from John Dear’s book, “Mary, a Prophet of Peace”)
Quiet Prayer
Quotes from Pope Leo XIV to ponder:
Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close, help us with her intercession and love. So I would like to pray together with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole church, for peace in the world and let us ask Mary, our Mother for this special grace. (Pause)
To all of you, brothers and sisters from Rome, from Italy, from all over the world, we want to be a synodal Church, a church that walks, a church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer. (Pause)
Today more than ever; humanity cries out and calls for peace. This is a cry that requires responsibility and reason, and it must not be drowned out by the din of weapons or the rhetoric that incites conflict. (Pause)
Quiet Reflection
Song: Santa Maria del Camino