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Augustinians Support International Day of Peace
September 21, 2008

Prayer Power for Peace

The international Augustinian Secretariate for Justice and Peace is joining with other religious organizations from around the world to promote the International Day of Peace each September 21.

The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution designating September 21 of each year as an International Day of Peace.

A group of persons representing a wide variety of Christian and other religious and spiritual traditions is promoting an International Day of Peace Vigil "in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals and by all men and women who seek peace in the world."

This global 24-hour Vigil is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual observances in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict.

U. N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, in his June 13, 2008 message, given 100 days before the International Day of Peace 2008, said that the world needs to take this Day of cease-fire and non-violence very seriously.

Ban noted that this year, 27 million children in conflict-affected areas are not in school. More than 25 million people are displaced from their homes. Tens of thousands of women are brutalized by sexual violence, one of the most horrendous aspects of conflict today.

“But there are places where peace has been restored. Much of this has happened with the help of the United Nations, which this year celebrates two sixtieth anniversaries: those of U.N. peacekeeping operations and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Ban said.

“That is why . . . I am asking Governments, communities and individuals to start preparing concrete activities for the International Day of Peace and beyond. On 21 September, let us send a real signal of our universal desire for peace,” he urged.

The Augustinian Secretariate for Justice and Peace encourages each Augustinian community and ministry to plan some observance of the International Day of Peace, and invites all individuals and groups who identify with Augustinian spirituality to do likewise.

International Day of Peace Prayer

       » International Day of Peace Prayer Service
             Suggested Augustinian prayers from International Justice and Peace Secretariate, Rome

Additional Resources

       » International Day of Peace Vigil (Opens new window)
             Demonstrate the power of prayer: Join this 24-hour spiritual observance for peace

       » The International Day of Peace (Opens new window)
             What it is, why it is, and how you can get involved

       » Take the Peace Pledge (Opens new window)
             Read the Pledge and add your signature online

       » Real Peace Possible if We Work Collectively to Make it Happen (Opens new window)
             Statement of U.N. Secretary General 100 days before International Day of Peace 2008

       » What is the International Day of Peace? (.pdf file - Opens new window)
             Fact sheet from the United Nations

Other UN Days Reflect Christian Values

      » Augustinians Support International Days
             Seven U.N. Days reflect Catholic Christian values