Invitation: Day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in the Holy Land

Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing is encouraging all clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Lansing to embrace the call of Pope Francis to offer this Friday, October 27, as a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in the Holy Land.

“Lay down weapons and heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children,” said the Holy Father at his General Audience in Rome, October 18.

“War solves no problems,” he said, “It only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future, it erases the future.”

The Pope went on to urge people to take one side only in the present conflict: that is, the side of peace. “But not with words,” he continued, “with prayer and with total dedication.”

Hence the call for a day of fasting, penance and prayer on Friday, October 27, with the central event taking place 6pm in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome when Pope Francis will lead a Holy Hour for world peace.

“I invite all the particular Churches to take part by organizing similar initiatives which involve the people of God,” he concluded.