During a prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica on Friday evening, 27 October, at the Day of Prayer, Fasting and Penance for Peace that Pope Francis called for in the context of the devastating wave of violence unfolding in the Holy Land, he prayed:
Mother of God,
“Turn your eyes of mercy towards our human family, which has strayed from the path of peace. ”
“Intercede for our world in such turmoil and great danger.”
“Teach us to cherish and care for life and to repudiate the folly of war, which sows death and eliminates the future.”
“Mother of mercy, we appeal for mercy! Queen of Peace, we appeal for peace! Touch the hearts of those imprisoned by hatred; convert those who fuel and foment conflict.”
“Dry the tears of children, be present to those who are elderly and alone; strengthen the wounded and the sick; protect those forced to leave their lands and their loved ones; console the crestfallen; awaken new hope.”
You are invited to make the Pope’s prayer your own or to post your prayer in our sacred space here
View highlights from the prayer service
Durante un servicio de oración en la Basílica de San Pedro el viernes 27 de octubre por la tarde, en la Jornada de Oración, Ayuno y Penitencia por la Paz que el Papa convocó en el contexto de la devastadora ola de violencia que se desarrolla en Tierra Santa:
Madre de Dios,
“Vuelve tus ojos de misericordia hacia nuestra familia humana, que se ha desviado del camino de la paz.”
“Intercede por nuestro mundo sumido en la confusión y en un gran peligro.”
“Enséñanos a apreciar y cuidar la vida y a repudiar la locura de la guerra, que siembra la muerte y elimina el futuro”.
“¡Madre de misericordia, te pedimos misericordia! Reina de la Paz, ¡te pedimos la paz! Toca el corazón de los prisioneros del odio; convierte a los que alimentan y fomentan el conflicto”.
“Seca las lágrimas de los niños, hazte presente a los ancianos y a los que están solos; fortalece a los heridos y a los enfermos; protege a los que se ven obligados a abandonar sus tierras y a sus seres queridos; consuela a los cabizbajos; despierta nuevas esperanzas”.
Te invitamos a hacer tuya esta oración o a colgar tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí
As the proceedings of the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops draw to a close, we want to thank God with all of you for the beautiful and enriching experience we have lived. We lived this blessed time in profound communion with all of you. We were supported by your prayers, bearing with you your expectations, your questions, as well as your fears. As Pope Francis requested two years ago, a long process of listening and discernment was initiated, open to all the People of God, no one being excluded, to “journey together” under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, missionary disciples engaged in the following of Jesus Christ.
a universal human right. This includes the right to accessible and acceptable good quality care, the right to independence and the right to inclusion in the community.
There are two Mercy Sister delegates at the Synod Assembly: Sister Elizabeth Davis, a representative of UISG, and Sister Angela Perez from Guam who is a representative of Oceania.
“What I’m witnessing is a different leadership style, like servant leadership style, where we’re all gathered at the table and participating, contributing. The voices at my table are the voice of a young person, a laywoman, and in my case, an older woman, a religious, and then the others are bishops, all together at the table sharing,” …
Bless the Lord, all the earth … let us join with all creation in giving thanks to the God who has gifted us so lavishly!
In 
