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Augustinians Support International Day of Peace
September 21, 2009

Prayer Power for Peace

The international Augustinian Secretariate for Justice and Peace is joining with other religious organizations from around the world to promote the International Day of Peace each September 21.

The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution designating September 21 of each year as an International Day of Peace.

A group of persons representing a wide variety of Christian and other religious and spiritual traditions is promoting an International Day of Peace Vigil "in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals and by all men and women who seek peace in the world."

This global 24-hour Vigil is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual observances in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict.

2009 Theme: We Must Disarm

U. N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, in his June 13, 2009 message, given 100 days before the International Day of Peace 2009, said that this day is a time to reflect on the horror and cost of war and the benefits of peacefully resolving our disputes. “This year, I will use this important day to ask governments and citizens of the world to focus on the important issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, ” Ban said.

Ban noted that while the end of the Cold War has helped lift the cloud of nuclear catastrophe, the threat continues. “Unless we vigorously work for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we will continue to face threats from existing nuclear weapons . . . potentially annihilating millions of people,” he said.

Ban announced the launch of the WeMustDisarm! Campaign (W.M.D.) to raise awareness of the true costs and dangers of nuclear weapons. During the 100 days leading up to International Day of Peace 2009, the U. N. will issue 100 reasons to disarm, and will spread this message by various media, including Twitter (Opens new window), Facebook (Opens new window) and MySpace (Opens new window).

You can also add your signature to the WeMustDisarm! Declaration (Opens new window).

The Augustinian Secretariate for Justice and Peace encourages each Augustinian community and ministry to plan some observance of the International Day of Peace, and invites all individuals and groups who identify with Augustinian spirituality to do likewise.

International Day of Peace Prayer

       » International Day of Peace Prayer Service
             Suggested Augustinian prayers from International Justice and Peace Secretariate, Rome

Additional Resources

       » International Day of Peace Vigil (Opens new window)
             Demonstrate the power of prayer: Join this 24-hour spiritual observance for peace

       » The International Day of Peace (Opens new window)
             What it is, why it is, and how you can get involved

       » Culture of Peace Initiative (Opens new window)
             Bringing forward previously unseen and unheard voices working towards peace

       » We Must Disarm: Ban Ki-moon (Opens new window)
             Statement of U.N. Secretary General 100 days before International Day of Peace 2009

      » 100 Reasons to Disarm: W.M.D. Campaign

• WeMustDisarm on Twitter (Opens new window)

• WeMustDisarm on Facebook (Opens new window)

• WeMustDisarm on MySpace (Opens new window)

       » Sign the WeMustDisarm! Declaration (Opens new window)
             Add your signature to show your support

       » Disarmament Education (Opens new window)
             Resources for learning

       » What is the International Day of Peace? (.pdf file - Opens new window)
             Fact sheet from the United Nations     Adobe Reader required - Get free download

Other UN Days Reflect Christian Values

      » Augustinians Support International Days
             Seven U.N. Days reflect Catholic Christian values