The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) has called on all the religious sisters and their collaborators around the world to a day of fasting and prayer for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land on Tuesday, 17 October 2023.
By Sr. Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA
VATICAN CITY — The UISG has expressed its sorrow at the recent happenings in the Holy Land, “in this moment of deep concern and sorrow for the situation we are facing, we wish to share a ray of hope”.
The Union believed that this is a time for us “to gather together as a global community and pray for a world where peace triumphs over violence, justice over strife, and reconciliation over hatred.”
“United in prayer, we can bring our desire for peace and justice to God the Father,” the UISG said.
Thus, it cordially encouraged all members of religious congregations and those who work with them to participate in the Global Day of Prayer.
Time of dismay and sorrow
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa in a letter has requested all brothers and sisters to dedicate 17th October to fasting and prayers for peace in the Holy Land.
The Cardinal, lamented the current political and military crisis in Israel that has led to unprecedented violence, escalating hatred, and more destruction.
Cardinal Pizzaballa wrote, “The hatred, which we have unfortunately already been experiencing for too long, will increase even more, and the ensuing spiral of violence will create more destruction. Everything seems to speak of death”.
However, we do not want to remain powerless in the midst of dismay and sadness. “We cannot let death and its sting (1 Cor 15:55) be the only word we hear,” he said.
Prayer for peace, justice, and reconciliation
Cardinal Pizzaballa, on behalf of all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land, has invited all parishes and religious communities to a day of fasting and prayer for peace and reconciliation.
“That is why we feel the need to pray, to turn our hearts to God the Father,” he said.
“Only in this way we can draw the strength and serenity needed to endure these hard times, by turning to Him, in prayer and intercession, to implore and cry out to God amidst this anguish,” he added.
He believed that we can organize ourselves in both large and small communities for rosary recitation and devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary, together with Eucharistic adoration.
Expressing his desire for peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Holy Land, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, concluded “This is the way we all come together despite everything, and unite collectively in prayer, to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation”.
Pope Francis adds voice to call for prayer and fasting
On Sunday, following the Angelus, Pope Francis joined the call for a Day of Prayer and Fasting, saying, “Prayer is the meek and holy force to oppose the diabolical force of hatred, terrorism and war.”
He implored, “Please do not shed any more innocent blood, neither in the Holy Land, nor in Ukraine, nor anywhere else! Enough! Wars are always a defeat, always!”
