Below we offer a range of resources, liturgies and prayers that have been developed in our work for peace. Please feel free to download these and use and adapt for your own needs.
21 May Feast Day and 9 August Anniversary of the execution of Blessed Franz JÄGERSTÄTTER
Consider holding a vigil or service in memory of Franz, Martyr and Father.
Download a Service for Franz Jagerstatter. Download the Franz Jagerstatter song
Other resources on the life and witness of Franz can be found on this order form
Let us know of any event you may organise and we can help with publicity. Photo gallerey here and here of events relating to Franz Jagerstatter
Lenten materials
Pax Christi partner in Palestine tells story of the 'permit' madness at Easter
Action for Jerusalem: a sheet for use in Holy Week
Ash Wednesday liturgy of Repentance and Resistance that will be used in London, Ash Wednesday 2012 Download here
Follow Me: The Way of the Cross, reflections on the writings of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter. Available from the office at £2.50
Stations of the Cross for Young People. Produced by Anne O'Connor, catechist, Shrewsbury Diocese. With a Justice and Peace theme.
Lenten study materials on Trident - produced by Scottish Clergy Against Nuclear Arms. Themes covered: massacre of the innocence, nature of nuclear weapons, revenge, status, personal responsibility and churches' response to nuclear weapons.
Lenten Calendar for young people: project of the Young Christian Workers, Youth Helping Youth project, ADJUVO.
Lent and Easter Resources - download order form here
Pax Christi ICON of Peace and Reconciliation Drag mouse over each panel of theIicon on the right to see the name of the figure/s represented then click on each panel to read a short summary of each. General explanation of the ICON To see the card and prayer in larger view click HERE Available in sets of 50 - price £2.50. Reconciliation: the Heart of Peace - Study- guide Contents include:
Price £6.00 plus 20% for postage |
|
Available from Pax Christi. Price £10.00 plus postage
Peace Resources for Rememberance Sunday
Baptist Peace Fellowship - prayers and readings for peace and remembrance
Remembrance Sunday - and the World for Which we Pray. Resources from the Joint Public Issues Team of Baptists, URC and Methodists
The War Poetry Website - useful poems, readings, stories from World War I onwards
Conscientious Objector - Inspired by the Edna St Vicent Millay poem this is a moving film that captures the opposing senses of helplessness and determination we all experience when faced with the huge issue of peace in our time.
Movement for the Abolition of War website - with useful articles and arguments putting the case against war.
Pax Christi Armed Forces workshop for use with young people and teachers
Resources to help you plan events for Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August
Prayer/Reflective materials
General Resources
Blessed are you peacemakers,
who say no to war as a means to peace.
Blessed are you peacemakers,
who are committed to disarm weapons of mass destruction.
Blessed are you peacemakers,
who wage peace at heroic personal cost.
Blessed are you peacemakers,
who challenge and confront judges, courts & prisons.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who help those who are hurting.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who befriend perfect strangers.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who open doors for acting justly,
loving tenderly and walking humbly with God
and all people of good will.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who welcome, encourage and inspire.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who offer hope and healing.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who care and comfort.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who help find answers.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who provide stability not insanity.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who help restore faith and love.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who delight in creation, art & creativity.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who see the good in others.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who never give up.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
who give and give and give.
Fr. Paul Milanowski Grand Rapids, Michigan
Pax Christi, together with the National Justice and Peace Network and CAFOD invites friends, members, parishes, schools and religious communities to fast and pray every Friday for peace in Iraq and the Middle East. The following is a special prayer chosen to be shared on that day.
We come to you, God Creator.
You are the source of life and beauty and power.
Your son Jesus is the way of faith and hope and love.
Your Spirit is the fire of love, the fount of wisdom, the bond of unity.
You call us at all times to be people of the beatitudes,
Witnesses to the Gospel of peace and love and forgiveness.
You call us at this time, when war and rumours of war,
weigh heavily on the peoples of Iraq and the Middle East.
Their lives are already broken by suffering and violence.
We renew our acceptance of your call.
We promise to work:
To bring the light of the Gospel to those living in darkness,
To bring the hope of the Gospel to those living in despair,
To bring the healing of the Gospel to the lonely,
the disadvantaged, the marginalized,
And to bring the peace of the Gospel to a divided world.
Amen.
Members and supporters might like to use this on a daily basis
Thank you loving God
For the gift of life
For this wonderful world which
we all share
For the joy of love and friendship
For the challenge of helping to build
your kingdom.
Strengthen
My determination to work for a world
of peace and justice
My conviction that, whatever our
nationality or race,
we are all global citizens,
one in Christ
My courage to challenge the
powerful with the values of the Gospel
My commitment to find nonviolent
ways of resolving conflict
- personal, local, national and international
My efforts to forgive injuries and to love those I find it hard to love.
Teach me
To share the gifts you have given me
To speak out for the victims of injustice
who have no voice
To reject the violence which runs
through much of our world today.
Holy Spirit of God
Renew my hope for a world free from the cruelty and evil of war so that we may all come to share
in God's peace and justice. Amen
Could be used in a penitential service or for reflection during Lent
We confess that in our lives we do not
Always choose the way of peace.
We spread gossip which fans the flame of hatred.
We are ready to make any sacrifices when Caesar demands -
but few when God invites.
We worship the false god of security and nationalism
We hold out our hand in friendship -
But keep a weapon in the other behind our back
We have divided your body of people
Into those we trust and those we do not.
Huge problems challenge us in the world -
But our greed, fear and selfishness prevent
us from uniting to solve them
Lord, we pray for your help,
Your forgiveness and your
Reconciling power in our lives.
May be useful during times of conflict between peoples of different faith traditions e.g. the Middle East
O God, you are the source of life and peace.
Praised be your name forever.
We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.
Hear our prayer in this time of crisis.
Your power changes hearts
Muslims, Christians and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm,
That they are followers of the one God,
Children of Abraham, brothers and sisters;
Enemies begin to speak to one another;
those who were estranged join hands in friendship;
nations seek the way of peace together.
Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these
truths by the way we live.
Give to us:
Understanding that puts an end to strife;
Mercy that quenches hatred, and
Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.
Empower all people to live in your law of love
Amen.
Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
The following Pax Christi resources may be of particular help to those wanting prayer and liturgy material. We also have liturgy resources for Peace Sunday, Northern Ireland and other occasions. All available from the Pax Christi office.
