Peace Sunday
Every year Pax Christi promotes the Holy Father’s World Peace Day Message on the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is in the Liturgical Calendar cycle of prayer. Pax Christi sends resource materials to every parish in the country to help them mark and celebrate the day.
This year is unusual in that Pope Francis has not yet released his message. We have mailed out resource materials as usual but will follow up with the specific message when it is released.
Resources available in our online shop
Downloads
- Liturgy booklet
- Prayer card with words of Pope Francis
- Letter to parishes from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, National President
- Assembly for use in schools – coming soon!
- Script that could be read at Mass on Peace Sunday -coming soon!
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Archive: The theme for 2019 was “Good politics serves peace” marked on 20 January 2019
Full text of the World Peace Day Message 2019
One thing is certain: good politics is at the service of peace. It respects and promotes fundamental human rights,which are at the same time mutual obligations, enabling a bond of trust and gratitude to be forged between present and future generations….today more than ever, our societies need “artisans of peace” who can be messengers and authentic witnesses of God the Father, who wills the good and the happiness of the human family.
Sheet of extracts from the World Peace Day message – could be used in newsletters/to create posters.
Downloads
- Liturgy booklet in word format
- Liturgy booklet as pdf
- Prayer Card (as illustrated on right)
- Letter to parishes from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, National President
- Script for Peace Sunday that could be read at Mass on Peace Sunday
- Pax Christi logo sheet for you to cut/paste for your own use
- Assembly for use in secondary schools with PowerPoint
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Archive: The theme for Peace Sunday 2018 was Migrants and Refugees – seekers of peace
The full text of the message can be read
Resources for 2018 can be downloaded below and purchased here
- Pax Christi Peace Sunday Booklet
- Simple script on Pax Christi / World Peace Day for use during Mass/service for peace
- Peace Sunday letter to parishes for Peace Sunday from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon
- 2018 Nonviolent Jesus prayer card (download here or order from Pax Christi)
- Activity card for children (download here and copy or order from Pax
Children prayer activity card
Christi)
- Extracts of the World Peace Day message, useful for newsletter/talks.
- Pax Christi membership leaflet (download or order from the office)
- Peace Sunday Order Form with all resources
The theme for Peace Sunday 2017 was – Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace
The full text of the message can be downloaded here
“…“piecemeal” violence, of different kinds and levels, causes great suffering: wars in different countries and continents; terrorism, organized crime and unforeseen acts of violence; the abuses suffered by migrants and victims of human trafficking; and the devastation of the environment. Where does this lead? Can violence achieve any goal of lasting value? Or does it merely lead to retaliation and a cycle of deadly conflicts that benefit only a few “warlords”?
Violence is not the cure for our broken world….
Pax Christi has produced a range of prayer, reflection and action resources to help parishes and communities celebrate the World Peace Day message
- Script/suggestions for a talk on Pax Christi and the World Peace Day message
- Short video presentation by Pax Christi International’s Marie Dennis on World Peace Day message
- What is nonviolence – a script for 3 people
Image on prayer card
- Peace Sunday Booklet (pdf format) including homily notes from Fr Rob Esdaile
- Peace Sunday Booklet (Word format)
- Letter promoting Peace Sunday from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Pax Christi
Series of worksheets on the theme Exploring Gospel Nonviolence
- The courageous nonviolence of Jesus
- Stories of nonviolence in action
- Promoting nonviolence in the parish
- The two hands of nonviolence
Support resources
- Catholic Nonviolence Initiative: read more about the outcomes of the ground-breaking Rome gathering on Nonviolence. Great resources too
- Nonviolence in Action: take a look at Pax Christi page with stories of nonviolence, support resources and more.
- PowerPoint Presentation on the Nonviolence of Jesus based on Matt 5: 38-41 interpreted by Walter Wink. A simple 9 slide presentation illustrated by David Rumsey
Peace Sunday 2016 was celebrated on 17 January. Here is the full message: Overcome indifference and win peace
Countdown to Peace Sunday 17 January
- Letter to parishes Archbishop Malcolm McMahon’s for Peace Sunday 2016
- Liturgy booklet in word format for easy copy and paste
- Liturgy booklet in pdf format
- Works of mercy graphic
- Make a difference in the world prayer for display
- Pax Christi Prayer Card set of 50 cards for £2.00
- On-line Assembly resource for secondary schools
- Short video introducing the theme
You can find all previous World Peace Day messages here
