By Fr Stephan Alexander, General Manager, CCSJ
As the calendar turns each year, the Catholic Church sets the tone for humanity by beginning with a solemn call to peace. This tradition, inaugurated in 1967 by Pope St Paul VI through the institution of the World Day of Peace on January 1, coincides with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
The Church’s annual prayer and message for peace underscore its enduring mission to promote reconciliation, justice, and the flourishing of human dignity in the face of global challenges.
For the 58th World Day of Peace on January 1, 2025, Pope Francis brings forth a message that resonates deeply with the themes of the Jubilee Year of Hope. His reflections, centered on the theme Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Grant Us Your Peace, illuminate the need for personal and collective conversion to build a world of harmony.
The Pope’s 2025 message emphasises the transformative power of forgiveness, drawing from the Jubilee tradition of restoring justice and renewing relationships. Pope Francis’ appeal is as practical as it is spiritual. He urges the forgiveness of international debt to free impoverished nations from cycles of dependency, the abolition of the death penalty to affirm the sanctity of life, and the establishment of a global fund to eradicate hunger. These acts of mercy and justice, he insists, mirror the boundless mercy of God and set the stage for authentic peace.
Additionally, Pope Francis calls for addressing systemic injustices that perpetuate conflicts, such as the exploitation of natural and human resources, disinformation, and environmental degradation. He reminds the faithful that true peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice and the healing of societal wounds.
Having journeyed on pilgrimage in 2024, I’m conscious that this universal call for reconciliation and unity is profoundly echoed in the devotion to Our Lady Queen of Peace, particularly through the Marian apparitions reported in Medjugorje.
The spiritual fruits of this devotion have been widely acknowledged. Pilgrims who visit Medjugorje often describe renewed faith, profound peace, and a commitment to prayer and reconciliation.
The messages attributed to the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje consistently emphasise peace, repentance, and the power of prayer—especially the Rosary—as tools for overcoming division and fostering harmony.
As Pope Francis highlights the necessity of personal and communal transformation, the devotion to Our Lady Queen of Peace serves as an accessible and relatable spiritual guide. Her maternal intercession calls all believers to embrace peace in their hearts, families, and communities as a precursor to broader societal peace.
The Church’s dual focus on spiritual renewal and practical action provides believers with a roadmap for the year ahead. Let’s therefore consider incorporating the following actions into our daily journey as a means of achieving peace and forgiveness:
- Cultivate personal forgiveness: Begin with small acts of mercy in everyday interactions. Let go of grudges and seek reconciliation with those who have caused you hurt.
- Engage in advocacy: Support causes that reflect the Pope’s call for systemic change, such as campaigns against the death penalty or efforts to relieve international debt.
- Deepen Marian devotion: Turn to Mary, Queen of Peace, through prayer, particularly the Rosary, as a means of fostering inner tranquility and outward harmony. Additionally, you may consider praying the ‘Chaplet of Peace’: on the cross pray the Apostles creed. Then, pray the following three prayers: the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be and repeat them seven times. End with the sign of the cross.
- Commit to care for Creation: Recognise that caring for the environment and all of creation is a vital aspect of peacemaking. Small lifestyle changes can contribute to global ecological justice.
- Support the vulnerable: This may include participating in initiatives to combat hunger and aid those affected by war, poverty, or displacement. However, tending to the needs of the elderly, people with intellectual and other disabilities or those who struggle with addiction are also great ways of fostering peace.
The Church’s tradition of beginning each year with a prayer for peace reflects its commitment to being a beacon of hope in a fractured world. Pope Francis’ 2025 message reminds us that peace is a divine gift that requires human collaboration. Through the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace may we all become active agents of justice, mercy, and peace.
In answering this call for peace, we not only honour God’s mercy but also contribute to the flourishing of humanity and creation.
