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Assisi Sisters Invited to Pope's Gathering January 24, 2002. Assisi, Italy The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Assisi received an invitation to the Pope's gathering of world religious leaders to pray for peace. The Sisters joined other Christians in the lower Basilica of St. Francis as the Holy Father led them in prayer. The Sisters wrote the following reflections about this historic event: Reflections on the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World In the words of the Holy Father, "The day was a marvelous pilgrimage." The day began for the Holy Father and most of the other religious delegations with the train ride from Rome to Assisi. It was striking to see the hundreds of people at each of the stations along the route greeting and waving to the Holy Father and the occupants of the train in joyful support of the mission that awaited them in Assisi. We too joined the pilgrimage, walking into Assisi along with the thousands of other participants, groups from all over Italy, young people and not-so-young, all coming to pray in union with the Holy Father. There were about 2500 people seated in the large tent in the piazza and an equal number in the Basilica of St. Francis. In addition, the Cathedral of San Rufino, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Church of Rivotorto were filled with those praying in union (via large screens). These churches were filled with the thousand of young people who had prayed through the night at Santa Maria degli Angeli followed by a torch light procession in the early morning to San Rufino. At the beginning of the ceremony, the Holy Father welcomed each of the Heads of the various religions as they entered the tent. It felt as though he was welcoming guests into his own home. The religious leaders gave their testimonies, acknowledging that peace is a gift from God, well aware that the common effort of the pilgrimage was to take on the responsibility that each has to do what is humanly possible to achieve the gift of peace. The fact that the religious leaders seated alongside the Holy Father represent 80% of the world's population that believe in God, the prayer for peace could certainly have resounding effects, as it was so obvious that something beyond human initiatives was moving the hearts of those men and women. During the time of prayer when each of the religious denominations gathered in different locations within the Sacro Convento to pray in their respective manners, we were very fortunate to have been invited to be in the lower Basilica. There were very few of us there as almost the entire nave was reserved for the group of Christians (about 200) that entered with the Holy Father. The Holy Father seemed so strong as he entered the beloved Basilica of the Saint to whom he came to implore peace. Stooped from the wear and tear of these past years, but filled with a strength beyond that of a human being, his white form entered the dark Basilica and it was as though he was a light illuminating the world. His resemblance to St. Francis was more than striking - what this little humble man was doing in gathering all of these important people was totally out of love and done with such passion and respect! Just as the Poverello of Assisi changed the life of his time, the Holy Father is changing our times! The service was so meticulously planned that each representative of the various Orthodox churches, Eastern-rite churches and numerous Protestant denominations each had a part to play, be it a reading, a response, etc. The final and perhaps most moving part of the day was the commitment to peace made by the religious leaders. Friars from the Sacro Convent presented each participant with a lighted oil lamp. After the commitments, the leaders placed their oil lamps together on a single stand. Their commitments to bring the message of peace to their people are the "lights of the world", best summed up by the Holy Father's words: "Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon the earth Justice and Peace, Forgiveness and Life, Love!" The day was powerful and intense. As each of the leaders greeted the Holy Father at the end, so many of them had something personal to say to him. He was so fatherly and tender, it was as though he was being acknowledged not only as Our Holy Father (of the Catholic faith), but as the Holy Father of all, as so forcefully affirmed by Rabbi Israel Singer, who said at the beginning of his testimony, "Only you, John Paul, could do something like this!" As we all left we took with us the final words of the Holy Father: "Once again Assisi has come to be the source of renewed hope….From God, the source of every good thing, blessing and peace upon those who are peacemakers. In his name let us go, let us weave the tapestry of peace with the golden thread of justice, freedom and forgiveness." Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Assisi |
