In solidarity with our 120+ sister organizations in the Pax Christi International network from around the world, Pax Christi USA with our regions, local groups, members and partners prays, studies, acts and celebrates the power of nonviolence each year between September 21st (International Day of Peace) and October 2nd (International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday).

2020 was the first year for the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action. The theme was, “Making active nonviolence our way of life in the Church and the world”. This year’s theme is “Nonviolence as a way of life in the web of creation”.

The days begin 21 September, the International Peace Day and end on 2 October, the International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday. CNI believes that nonviolence offers an approach and tools to address the call to protect our earth, hence our theme for this year. CNI is contributing to the discussion on the Laudato Si’ 7-year plan with the Dicastery on Integrated Human Development at the Vatican.

Pax Christi USA Opportunities during the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action

>> Celebrate the Eucharist of Gospel Nonviolence with us, September 23rd

Fr. John Heagle and the Gospel Nonviolence Working Group of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests have created a “Eucharist of Gospel Nonviolence” which Fr. John will celebrate with us as our monthly Peace Mass on Sept. 23rd at 8pm ET. The Eucharist of Gospel Nonviolence is an effort to reclaim the lex orandi, the lex credendi, and the lex vivendi that flows from the prayer, preaching, and praxis of the historical Jesus and the risen Christ. It seeks to embody his life of inclusive loving, forgiving enemies, resisting systems of violence, confronting the instruments of war, and the pursuit of active non-violence in the communal prayer of the Church.

  • Find more about the Eucharist of Gospel Nonviolence at this link.
  • Register to join us for this Peace Mass at this link.

>> Nonviolence Training with Meta Peace Team on Saturday, October 2nd

Pax Christi USA has partnered with the Meta Peace Team to offer Pax Christi USA members (and friends!) nonviolence trainings twice each year specifically designed for our community. The second training is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, the International Day of Nonviolence. Click here for more information and to register. This virtual session will take place over Zoom.

>> Pax Christi USA Communal Vow of Nonviolence, Saturday, October 2nd

Join with other Pax Christi USA members and friends from across the nation to take the Vow of Nonviolence together virtually over Zoom at 8pm ET.

>> Join the Gospel and Nuclear Disarmament Study Circles, beginning October 5th

Looking for an ongoing commitment to gospel nonviolence to follow up the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action? Join our latest study circle to read, reflect and analyze Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Art Laffin’s new version of The Risk of the Cross: Living Gospel Nonviolence in the Nuclear Age. The new study circle will take place between October 5 and November 9, with Zoom gatherings every Tuesday evening, 7-8:30pm ET, beginning October 5.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES OF PAX CHRISTI USA LOCAL COMMUNITIES DURING THE DAYS OF ACTION
College of the Holy Cross Pax Christi chapter

For a listing of events and activities taking place during (or around) the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action by Pax Christi USA local communities and affiliates, high school or college chapters, religious communities, and state/regional chapters, see below. To submit an event to be included, use this form.

Pax Christi International has published a list of suggested actions different sectors of the Church can take to promote nonviolence, from the family to the parish to religious orders and so on. Click here to see a condensed list of those actions we have curated and are recommending for your consideration.

Sept. 17

Sept. 18

  • Pax Christi Southern California, “Nonviolence Training: Going from Personal to Global Peacemaking”. Register at https://www.paxchristisocal.org/training/. Saturday, September 18th, from 9:45am-12:00pm PDT (12:45-3:00pm EDT). Contact person: Mike Walsh, Co-Chair for Pax Christi Southern California, mikewalsh@pacbell.net. Download the flyer here. 
  • Pax Christi Northern California, this annual event originated four years ago by Pax Christi, Castro Valley working with Eden Area Interfaith Council. Our Kim Vanderheiden will be reading the “Prayer for Disarmament,” the prayer on the back of the prayer card she made for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan. She will also be distributing the prayer cards to interested participants. At this event, the park district will also be unveiling a 12 foot tall peace pole with peace messages in 30 languages. 10am-1pm, PT at Lake Chabot Regional Park. Information on the event can be found on this flyer.
  • Pax Christi St. Maurice/Broward (FL) sponsored Nonviolence Weekend at the Masses at St. Maurice and Resurrection (Dania Beach FL) this past weekend in connection with the National Campaign Nonviolence week of Pace e Bene. The parishioners recited a Nonviolence Pledge.

Sept. 19

  • Pax Christi members & friends in Portland, OR, “Building Peaceful Communities”. Register to receive the Zoom link here. 7-9pm EDT on Sunday, September 19th. Contact person: Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss, mryanhotchkiss@yahoo.com. Download the flyer here. Enjoy the new video, The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature and learn CLARA training for peaceful conversations.
  • Miami Caravan Against the Blockade of Cuba, 11am ET, in Coconut Grove in Miami. Protest against the Mayor of the city of Miami calling on the US government to invade Cuba.

Sept. 21

  • Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and Pax Christi USA, Protest the Air Force Association “Arms Bazaar”, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745. We will meet for the vigil at the corner of Waterfront St. and St. George Blvd., directly across from the Gaylord National Resort. September 21st from 12-1pm EDT. Contact person: Art Laffin, artlaffin@hotmail.com.
  • Pax Christi South DakOta will be holding an International Day of Peace Prayer Service – Tuesday, September 21st at 8:00 at McKennan Shelter (south of tennis courts) in Sioux Falls, SD. See flyer at: https://fb.me/e/UHOaSkA2 
  • Nonviolent Cities Project-Joliet, IL: In Joliet at Van Buren and Chicago St. Plaza, 4:30pm CT; To reduce violence by building caring relationships among all people within Joliet. Next steps – Steering committee meeting Oct. 27 @ 7 p.m. 4 S. Prairie Ave. Joliet or call 815-608-1867
  • Live from the Incarnate Word Chiapas Coffee Cooperative to the University of the Incarnate Word Design Class! 10:45am – Learn a little of fair trade coffee, how a cooperative of families works, Incarnate Word Sisters Social Justice work, and the beautiful nature of Chiapas from Sr. Sister Dolores Maria Di Costanzo, a founder of Tiemelonla Nich K Lum Coffee Cooperative and from Sr. Martha Ann Kirk who brings back suitcases full of coffee! Co-sponsored by Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, Creation Committee; Interior Design; Jack Lewis III Institute of the Americas; Sustainability Education Committee. Learn more at University of the Incarnate Word and Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
  • Janesville, WI Walk for Peace: 5:30pm CT, a meditative walk for peace; prayers for peace from world religions
  • Stop the Lies that Lead to War: Lafayette Park in Washington, DC, 1:30pm ET
  • Classroom peace lessons asking, “Can you use violence for a good cause?” at St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC (throughout these days)
  • Peace Pole Dedication: Cronin Academy, Newburgh, NY, at 10:45am, to include bell ringing, singing, and poetry, plus quiet meditation

Sept. 22

  • People For Peace and Justice – Fremont Ohio Demonstration on September 22, 4pm in Fremont, OH; focus on peace and nonviolence at our weekly demonstration for Peace and Justice; contact Josie Setzler at 419-332-2318

Sept. 24

  • Climate Strike Erie, Perry Square Park, State Street, at 4:00 pm ET: Demonstration demanding strong climate action at city, county, state and national level. In conjunction with Fridays for a Future. Catholic universities, high school, religious communities and ministries are part of the coalition. See this link for more info.

Sept. 25

  • Pax Christi New York State is a co-sponsor of an interfaith prayer service in observance of the UN Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Saturday, September 25th at 11am ET via Zoom. Download the flyer at this link.

Sept. 27

  • Peace Pole Dedication: The Putnam Bike Trail, Newburgh, NY, at 4pm, to include bell ringing, singing, and poetry, plus quiet meditation. see

Oct. 2

For more on the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action from Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, click here.

Pax Christi International offers these action suggestions for each sector of society.

  • SEE: How do you see environmental damage and its impact on people, creatures and life systems? Where do we see communities practice nonviolent responses? These resources may help you here and here.
  • JUDGE: Show the video Nonviolence for the Earth created by the Columban JPIC team. Interview those impacted by environmental damage in your own community. Share what you discover with your community. Call a meeting. Create a mini-exhibition with images and quotations.
  • How can you ACT on this, sharing your views with others. Offer a presentation to your parish/school/community on what you have done on the theme: Nonviolence as a Way of Life in the Web of Creation. Have some action ideas ready to share: Do we want to share CNI’s webinar with our parish? Do we want to work with environmental / Laudato Si groups and invite them to explore the links between care of creation and war, conflict, the military impact of climate change?  Do we want to celebrate on 2 October? More video, prayer, action resources here.

For resources from Pax Christi USA’s participation in the 2020 Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action, click here.

Find more on our work to promote nonviolence at this link.

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