Preparing for Peace Sunday

Parishes around the country are preparing to celebrate Peace Sunday with Pax Christi on 20 January.

Writing to parishes, Bishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Pax Christi said: ""Pope Benedict's World Peace Day message for 2013 is Blessed are the Peacemakers. The message will affirm the Church's teaching on peace, from the great letter of Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris to the challenge offered by the Year of Faith, for us to seek out and hold up the 'credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord."

The Pax Christi office are encouraged by the number of orders and enquiries they have received for prayer cards, leaflets and liturgy materials. They hope that thie 2013 theme, Blessed are the Peacemakers, will encourage parishes to look at the qualities of being a peacemaker and celebrate those in their own communities who live out these qualities.

As well as focusing on the peace message during Mass on 20 January, some parishes will mount exhibitions, others will hold vigils, some will create special children's peace liturgies.

Pax Christi promoted the annual Peace Day message since 1967.

Liturgy and other support materials can be found here: www.paxchristi.org.uk/peace_sunday1.php