Diocesan events for Day of Prayer for Peace

Friday, Sep. 02, 2016

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has called for a Day of Prayer for Peace “in light of recent incidents of violence and racial tension in communities across the United States,” according to a USCCB news release.

“By stepping forward to embrace the suffering, through unified, concrete action animated by the love of Christ, we hope to nurture peace and build bridges of communication and mutual aid in our own communities,” he said in the release.

The Day of Prayer for Peace will be Sept. 9, on the feast of St. Peter Claver, who in the 17th century tended to slaves brought ashore in Colombia, and worked to end slavery.

In recognition of the Day of Prayer for Peace, the Diocese of Salt Lake City will celebrate a Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine at 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 9; it will include special prayers of the faithful, and the homily will focus on healing.

In addition, the Salt Lake diocese will join with others across the country in ringing church bells at 1 p.m. MST. Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator, also encourages each Catholic parish and school to pray the rosary or say a prayer and observe a moment of silence on that day.