Happy New Year!
The Roman Catholic Church observes the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God and World Day of Peace on the first day of every year. St Paul VI established World Day of Peace in 1967 and affirmed The Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God in 1969. He explained these actions in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus in 1974. He said, “In the revised ordering of the Christmas period it seems to us that the attention of all should be directed towards the restored Solemnity of Mary the holy Mother of God. This celebration, placed on January 1 in conformity with the ancient indication of the liturgy of the City of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the ‘holy Mother...through whom we were found worthy to receive the Author of life.’ It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels (cf. Lk. 2:14), and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace. It is for this reason that, in the happy concurrence of the Octave of Christmas and the first day of the year, we have instituted the World Day of Peace, an occasion that is gaining increasing support and already bringing forth fruits of peace in the hearts of many.”
Bringing the celebration forward fifty-five years, what does it mean for us, today on January 1, 2023? Our world is just as turbulent today as it was on January 1, 1968 (the first celebration of World Day of Peace). Chris Hedges, a former war correspondent and now a Presbyterian minister observed that “Of the past 3,400 years, humans have been entirely at peace for 268 of them, or just 8 percent of recorded history.” And, “At least 108 million people were killed in wars in the twentieth century. Estimates for the total number killed in wars throughout all of human history range from 150 million to 1 billion.” These statistics are overwhelming. So, what can we do here in Peachtree City to “bring forth fruits of peace in the hearts of many”?
We all can play our part in the effort to achieve peace.
- We can pray for peace every day merging our prayers with the prayers of people all over the world · We can learn about peace by studying documents like Pacem in Terris (April, 11 1963) by Pope St John XXIII.
- We can act for peace starting in our own homes with our own families, we can act for peace in our parish and in our local community. We can be peaceful people.
Last year on January 1, 2022, Pope Francis Tweeted this message, “All can work together to build a more peaceful world, starting from the hearts of individuals and relationships in the family, then within society and with the environment, and all the way up to relationships between peoples and nations.”
Let’s all become agents of Peace inspired by Mary, Queen of Peace and her Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said,
“Peace to you,” grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses
of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers
that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.
— St. John XXIII
