QUEEN OF PEACE PRESERVE US FROM THE MADNESS OF WAR
February 25, 2022
"May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war"
POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR UKRAINE ON MARCH 2
POPE GOES TO RUSSIAN EMBASSY
Prayer and fasting for peace
Speaking at the end of the General Audience, On Wednesday 23 February, Pope Francis invited everyone to make Wednesday, MARCH 2nd - a Day of Fasting for Peace.
"My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute."
"E ora vorrei appellarmi a tutti, credenti e non credenti. Gesù ci ha insegnato che all'insensatezza diabolica della violenza si risponde con le armi di Dio, con la preghiera e il digiuno. Invito tutti a fare del prossimo 2 marzo, mercoledì delle ceneri, una Giornata di digiuno per la pace. Incoraggio in modo speciale i credenti perché in quel giorno si dedichino intensamente alla preghiera e al digiuno. La Regina della pace preservi il mondo dalla follia della guerra."
"And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war."
This is traditionally a day of prayer and fasting for both 'Roman' and 'Ukrainian' Catholics. For the western Church it is "Ash Wednesday" and the beginning of Lent. For the eastern Church it is already the middle of the first week of Lent and already a day of fasting and abstinence (canon 115, §2 particular law UGCC). However, the Holy Father's appeal is that the prayer and fasting be offered in particular for a resolution to the horrific crisis of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and, surely, it is an invitation to all people of good will to join in the prayer.
