(ANS - Vatican City) - "I wholeheartedly join in this initiative, that the fire of God's love may defeat the fires of war and violence that afflict humanity and that dialogue may everywhere prevail over armed confrontation. May Saint Teresa of Jesus intercede for this our prayer." This was what Pope Francis said yesterday, 26 March, as he launched the World Prayer for Peace promoted by the Discalced Carmelites. Today the Rector Major invites the Salesian Family to join this prayer for peace.

The year 2015 is not only the bicentenary of Don Bosco. Tomorrow 28 March, another great religious family is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila. One of the many initiatives is that of the World Prayer for Peace, recalling the testimony of the Saint who firmly believed in the power of dialogue with God.

Yesterday, during the morning mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis launched the initiative, in the presence of Fr Saverio Cannistrà, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, and Fr Emilio Martínez, his Vicar. From that moment until tomorrow, the exact date of the anniversary, in all Carmelite houses, in all convents, monasteries and confraternities of Teresian spirituality and among many ordinary Christians and people of good will, prayer will arise around the world to implore the gift of peace through the intercession of St Teresa.

The prayer can be read in its entirety at the site of the Discalced Carmelites. It is inspired by the following Teresian text: "The whole world is on fire (...) should we spend time asking for things that, if they were granted, could prevent some soul from entering heaven? No, my sisters, this is not the time to waste our prayer on questions of so little importance!" (Teresa de Jesus, The Way of Perfection 1.5).

The Salesian Family is also invited to participate in this initiative. “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ – the Rector Major said, quoting the Gaudium et Spes –. As the Salesian Family we adhere fully to the initiative and we join in prayer to ask God for the gift of peace, justice and reconciliation.”

It is entirely opportune in the current environment. There are instances of war and violence in many countries around the world: from the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Yemen ...), Africa (Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Nigeria, Central African Republic ...), Asia (the Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan ...), and Europe (Ukraine ...).

Published 27/03/2015