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Monday, July 23, 2012

PEACE PRAYER FROM THE FIFTIES--- AND PEACE IN THE POST-CHRISTIAN ERA


Our people have stood in the shadow of the mushroom cloud for 68 years.  As a follow up to the efforts of the prayer group in the New Mexico desert {see last week}, I suggest this prayer given to me by a devout woman parishioner of a local area parish almost 25 years ago.  A guest homily I’d given at Sunday mass calling for converting our tax dollars away from nuclear weapons and for peaceful purpose, had been received with some consternation, and she wanted me to be encouraged, that prayer for peace and against the bomb had been around since at least the 1950’s.  This was probably from an old diocesan newspaper clipping.



OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
PRAYER FOR PEACE
{DELIVERANCE FROM THE ATOMIC BOMB}

Almighty and Eternal Father, God of wisdom and mercy,
Whose power exceeds all force of arms and Whose protection
is the strong defense of all who trust in Thee,
enlighten and direct, we beseech Thee, those who bear the heavy responsibility of government throughout the world in these days of stress and trial.

Grant them the strength to stand firm for what is right
 and the skill to dispel the fears that foment discord;
inspire them to be mindful of the horrors of atomic war
 for victor and vanquished alike,
to seek conciliation in truth and patience,
to see in every man a brother,
that the people of all nations may, in our day,
enjoy the blessings of a just and lasting peace.

Conscious of our own unworthiness, we implore Thy mercy
on a sinful world in the name of Thy Divine Son, the Prince of Peace,
and through the intercession of His Blessed Mother and all the saints.

Queen of All Saints, pray for us.
Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.



Also please consider study and action to end nuclear weapons, as available at the websites below.

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Physicians for Social Responsibility
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Federation of American Scientists
Peace Action


Highly recommended is this book by Thomas Merton.
Peace in the Post-Christian Era
Written pre-1962, but not allowed to be published until a few years ago.
Available at---




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