04/09/2026
Join us at St. Mary's on Saturday, April 11th from 10am - 11am in union with our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV and Catholics around the world in praying for peace. Join us for Eucharistic Adoration and a Taizé harp meditation, as we all join together in praying for peace.
We are gathering at 10:00 AM because this corresponds to 6:00 PM in Vatican City, the very time the Holy Father will be leading a prayer vigil for peace. In this way, we will be united with him and with Catholics around the world in one moment of prayer.
During this time, we will place before the Lord the needs of our world, especially for an end to violence, the protection of innocent lives, and the conversion of hearts. Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of Christ. Before the Blessed Sacrament, we entrust everything to Him who alone can bring healing and reconciliation.
If you are able, please join us. If not, I encourage you to unite spiritually from wherever you are.
Prayer for Peace
Lord God of Peace,
Father of all nations and Shepherd of every people,
We come before You with hearts that are heavy,
seeing the suffering, fear, and division in the Middle East.
Where there is violence, bring Your peace.
Where there is hatred, sow the seeds of love.
Where there is despair, awaken hope.
Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
You entered our wounded world not with power,
but with mercy… not with force, but with the Cross.
Stretch out Your wounded hands over every land in conflict—
over families who mourn,
over children who are afraid,
over those who feel forgotten and abandoned.
Break the cycle of retaliation and revenge.
Disarm hearts hardened by anger.
Heal memories wounded by generations of pain.
Teach us to see not enemies, but brothers and sisters,
created in Your image and loved by You.
Holy Spirit, giver of life and unity,
descend upon leaders and decision-makers.
Grant them wisdom beyond human understanding,
the courage to choose dialogue over destruction,
and the humility to seek the common good.
Bless all who work for peace,
those who serve the suffering,
those who speak truth with love,
those who build bridges where others build walls.
Mother Mary, Queen of Peace,
you who stood at the foot of the Cross,
embrace all who are grieving and afraid.
Lead us to your Son, who alone can heal the human heart.
May Your peace, O Lord,
which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and our world.
We entrust the Middle East, and all nations, to You.
Make us instruments of Your peace.
Amen.