Peace Sunday this year focuses on the liberating justice of God in our world during the Jubilee Year, and how, by “opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters, we will restore God’s justice on Earth” and “move forward to achieve the goal of peace.” It is hoped is that many parishes, Catholic schools and groups across the country will mark the day.
Peace Sunday is an annual opportunity to renew our commitment to work for peace and justice in our world. Each year Pope Francis, and other Popes before him since 1968, give us a theme for our prayer and reflection. It is based on the Pope’s message for the 1st January 2025 – World Peace Day. The quotes above are from this year’s message.
In his message for the day this year, Pope Francis has chosen as his theme: ‘Forgive us our trespasses; Grant us your Peace’. True peace, the Pope says, is granted by God to hearts that are “disarmed” of selfishness, hostility, and anxiety for the future, replacing them with generosity, forgiveness, and hope for a better world: “May we seek the true peace that is granted to God by hearts disarmed.” Simple acts of kindness and solidarity, he notes, can pave the way for this new world, fostering a deeper sense of fraternity and shared humanity.
Sr. Katrina Alton CSJP, national chaplain to Pax Christi England and Wales, says of the theme: “In a world hungry for revenge and where ‘sorry’ really does seem to be the hardest word, Pope Francis has boldly chosen ‘forgiveness’ as the central theme for World Peace Day 2025. This is in stark contrast to the calls for ‘revenge’ and ‘an eye for an eye’ that are currently played on repeat by our politicians and amplified by the media. But are we being naive and foolish to look at the challenges facing us today through the lens of forgiveness? Do we really have the faith to believe that when we choose to forgive then God will grant us peace?”
Peace Sunday, designated by the Bishops of England and Wales, is an opportunity to learn about peacemaking, and also to support Pax Christi England and Wales. It is part of the International Catholic Movement for Peace, which embodies peacemaking and peacebuilding that Pope Francis reminds us is so central to our Catholic faith in action.
The Columban Missionary Society is a committed member of Pax Christi International and has been for several decades, aligning with Pax Christi’s mission of promoting peace and justice. Our membership reflects a shared dedication to nonviolence and reconciliation, core aspects of our missionary work. By being part of this global Catholic peace movement, we gain valuable resources, networking opportunities, and a platform to advocate for social justice issues. This partnership enhances our ability to address conflicts, support marginalised communities, and contribute to global peacebuilding efforts, reinforcing our mission to live out the Gospel in solidarity with the poor and oppressed.
Forgive Us Our Trespasses, Lord
Forgive us our trespasses, Lord,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
In this cycle of forgiveness, grant us your peace,
the peace that you alone can give
to those who let themselves be disarmed in heart,
to those who choose in hope to forgive the debts of their brothers and sisters,
to those who are unafraid to confess their debt to you,
and to those who do not close their ears to the cry of the poor.
Amen.
Pope Francis
