International Day of Peace:
In 2001, the United Nations unanimously passed a resolution designating September 21st of each year as an "International Day of Peace," asking the entire world to observe a full day of "global ceasefire and nonviolence" and to work toward strengthening peace and alleviating tensions and conflict among the global community.
Every year, Franciscans International helps to organize a worldwide effort to observe the International Day of Peace in a spiritual manner, and urges all Franciscans to join the vigil for peace.
Franciscans have observed September 21 in many creative, inspirational ways. Japanese Franciscans have sent peace cards to friends, put them in their homes, and displayed symbols of peace in their sanctuaries. In Rome, Franciscans have fasted and prayed for peace. Many services included the traditional Peace Prayer of St. Francis, even when not organized by Franciscans. And across the world, Franciscans rang bells of peace.
If you are planning an event for September 21, 2004, please send us your ideas to share with others on this web site. Your celebration might help mobilize others to organize an event as well. See the links below for accounts of specific observances in 2002 and 2003.
Together we CAN and DO make a Franciscan
Difference in the world!
Keep checking out the FI website for updated ideas from other Franciscans
around the world.
We are collecting peace prayers in order to share them with Franciscans around the world. Visit our Prayers for Peace page in order to access various prayers in English and other languages.
Useful Resources Observance ideas
UN
Resolution 55/282: International Day of Peace
Various Prayers for Peace
UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan's, Peace Message
International Day of Peace observances by Franciscans
2004
2003 2002
Other websites to check out
UN International Day of Peace UN Cyberschoolbus International Day of Peace International Day of Peace Vigil
Pathways for Peace, International Day of Peace
Peace One Day
For more information, or to post your IDP event on the FI website to share with others,
email us.
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International Day of Peace in the
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