A wind of hope passing through the world

From Jerusalem to Assisi and from Havana to Taizé prayers were sent to Damascus. Numerous faithful from every part of the world gathered on Saturday evening to raise their “cry for peace” in response to Pope Francis' appeal. It was a great “mobilization of consciences” in favour of a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, the importance of which was emphasized on Vatican Radio by Archbishop Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria. “In spiritual unity with those in St Peter's Square, numerous prayer vigils were also held in various Syrian religious communities. In the Greek-Catholic Melkite Cathedral of Damascus, Catholic and Orthodox bishops gathered together with representatives of the Government, Parliament, and the Muslim community. So many people asked me to pass on warm words of gratitude to the Holy Father with this initiative”, said Archbishop Zenari.

The Church of all Nations on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem welcomed pilgrims, the faithful of the holy city, and men and women religious on mission there. There were Christians — according to an online statement on the Custody of the Holy Land's website — from all faiths, rites, languages and nations.

In another city of peace, Assisi, Bishop Domenico Sorrentino called for a “bombing of prayer”. “We are not here to analyze or provide solutions. We are here as brothers and we want to say that we are close to the Syrian people as they live this dramatic situation”.

On Saturday evening, 7 September, in Taizé, France, the Brothers of the Taizé community gathered with many young people in a church. “You do not let us abandon ourselves to despair”, they said to the Lord, “and you make us understand that our prayer and compassion counts. Be with those who suffer and send the Holy Spirit, to inspire in all human beings acts of peace”.

Thousands of miles away in Havana, on the occasion of the Feast of the Virgin of Charity who is Cuba's Patron Saint, Archbishop Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez, the President of the Bishops' Conference, recalled the Pope's appeal for Syria and invited the faithful to pray for peace.

Source: osservatoreromano.va (Sep. 10, 2013)