Focolare Movement

Margaret Karram: let there be a ceasefire and dialogue be victorious in ‘seeking the paths to peace’

Mar 18, 2022

The "prayer for universal peace" pronounced today by the president of the Focolare Movement in Assisi, at the tomb of St Francis, echoes the words of Pope Francis. The full version is attached.

The “prayer for universal peace” pronounced today by the president of the Focolare Movement in Assisi, at the tomb of St Francis, echoes the words of Pope Francis. The full version is attached. “We ask you, with the faith that moves mountains, that there be a ceasefire in the war, and that dialogue will be victorious ‘in seeking the paths to peace’ between Russia and Ukraine. We ask for the grace that every ongoing conflict, especially the most forgotten ones, can end. This deeply felt invocation is at the heart of the “prayer for universal peace”, pronounced this morning in Assisi by Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement. In the crypt of St Francis, in the Lower Basilica, she was joined by the General Council of the Movement, gathered in the “city of peace” for a few days of retreat. “We are here on behalf of all the members of the Movement: Christians of various Churches, believers of various religions, people who consider themselves as brothers and sisters in one human family.” Margaret Karram continued:We make our own the cry of pain and the despair of peoples who are currently suffering because of violence, conflicts, and wars.” “Grant us the grace to welcome one another, to forgive one another and live as one human family. Grant that we may love other people’s countries as our own! God of mercy and harmony, make us ‘instruments of Your peace’.” One week before Pope Francis consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (on 25th March) this plea is part of a collective prayer for peace throughout the world and supports the extensive network of solidarity to which members of the Movement also belong. Focolare communities are present in over 180 countries, including many places where there are still conflicts and wars.

Stefania Tanesini

The full text of the “prayer for universal peace”.

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Don Foresi: the years of work for the incarnation of the charism

Don Foresi: the years of work for the incarnation of the charism

Ten years ago, on 14th June 2015, the theologian Don Pasquale Foresi (1929-2015), whom Chiara Lubich considered a co-founder of the Movement, died. He was the first focolarino priest and the first Co-President of the Focolare. A few months ago, the second volume of Foresi’s biography, written by Michele Zanzucchi, was published. We spoke about it with Prof. Marco Luppi, researcher in Contemporary History at the Sophia University Institute in Loppiano (Italy).

Reborn from the Darkness: A Call to Unity

Reborn from the Darkness: A Call to Unity

During the days of the Pentecost celebration, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed in countries of the Southern Hemisphere. Mayara Pazetto, a young Brazilian Pentecostal theologian, shares the story that led her to commit to and promote dialogue among the Christian Churches.