Litanies for the International Day of Peace

We will not participate
With an economy that makes and uses instruments of death.
We will not participate
With the scandalous expenditure of billions of dollars for war.
We will not participate

A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13, 34-35

For the victims of the war
Have mercy.
For the mutilated, displaced and tortured
Have mercy.
For the bloody, abandoned, desperate
Have mercy.

We give bread, while we give our love and announce our hope here where there is none. We join our hands letting go of our indifference, while we wait on you, Jesus, our example in life.

In reconciliation of victims and aggressors in this war
We will actively participate.
In accompanying and consoling communities who have been displaced
We will actively participate.
In the resistance of the peace communities
We will actively participate.

Jesus offers us his peace, a deep sense of love, liberty and life. At the same time he warns us that the way is not that which the world offers. It is the peace of being part of the struggle against injustice. Today we see hunger and injustice. The Lord calls us to assume responsibility for making peace happen.

In the search for new roads to peace and nonviolence
We commit ourselves.
To not participate in any way in war
We commit ourselves.
To put our resources and capacities in the service of peace and social justice
We commit ourselves.