2023 is the third year for the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action, a time to pray, study & act for peace and nonviolence in solidarity with Pax Christi members and partners around the world. The days begin Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, and end on Oct. 2, the International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday, and are held in conjunction with the Season of Creation (Sept. 1-Oct. 4), Pace e Bene’s Campaign Nonviolence (Sept. 21-Oct. 2), and the World Week for Peace in Israel-Palestine (Sept. 16-23.) This year, the days also overlap with the Defuse Nuclear War Week of Action (Sept. 24-30) and the Global Days of Action for Peace in Ukraine (Sept. 30-Oct. 8), both of which Pax Christi USA co-sponsors.
Pax Christi local groups and state chapters, Pax Christi members in religious communities, parishes, schools and elsewhere are organizing ways to witness for nonviolence during these days of action! Join us in taking action! Email Judy at jcoode@paxchristiusa.org to let us know what you’re doing and we’ll lift it up and promote it to others!
Check out the special PSA (Pray-Study-Act) resource we’ve put together below or go to our webpage in support of the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action here and plan on making your witness to the power of nonviolence visible and public between Sept. 21-Oct. 2!
Click here to download this PSA as a PDF.
pray
>> Join us on Thursday, Sept. 21, 8pm ET, for our quarterly online PAX Mass, to be celebrated by Fr. Joe Mattern. Click here for more info and to sign up.
Fr. Joe will use the Eucharist for Gospel Nonviolence, a resource created by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests.
>> Online retreat: Called to Be Peacemakers retreat, Oct. 7, 2023, 10am-2pm ET
As we commemorate the 60th anniversary year of Pacem in Terris [Peace on Earth] and approach the feast of Pope St. John XXIII on October 11, Pax Christi USA is excited to partner with the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning and the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative for this special online event.
Join internationally-acclaimed artist Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, Pax Christi USA National Chair Charlene Howard, and Marianist Sr. Emily Sandoval as they share images or examples of building peace in the world. Off-camera time for quiet reflection, small group sharing, and a break for lunch will be provided. The cost for this retreat is $10. After registering, you will receive the Zoom link and materials the week before. For more info, email Michelle at msherman@paxchristiusa.org or click here. Scholarships are available.
study
>> Pax Christi USA, along with the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and Casa Esther Catholic Worker, is excited to offer a new online series this fall focused on nonviolence and care for creation.
These conversations are scheduled to take place virtually at 7 PM ET every Monday through the month of October, and will explore the interconnected relationship between violence and the ecological crisis. Each session will last 90 minutes and will include a Q&A segment.
Registration is free and open to university students and staff. Others are welcome to register at no cost in order to receive a recording of the sessions after they’ve taken place.
Sign up for what should be a fascinating series of discussions at this link.
>> Join Pax Christi USA, Catholic Climate Covenant, Laudato Si’ Movement, and the Ignatian Solidarity Network as we explore the interconnections between gospel nonviolence and care for creation. During this five-week program, (September 1-October 4), learn about the Vow of Nonviolence and how it can radically transform our way of living as stewards on earth. Receive a weekly email with opportunities to learn, pray, and practice nonviolence. Join the Ignatian Solidarity Network online for reflection sessions and an opportunity to make the vow of nonviolence in community. Visit http://igsol.net/soc to learn more.
act
>> All are invited to recite and recommit to the Vow of Nonviolence, on or close to October 2 if possible. Invite your youth group, community, or affinity group to take each of the four calls of the Vow of Nonviolence and talk about what it means to you. Order and use the new Vow of Nonviolence card available from Pax Christi USA in the PCUSA store starting Sept. 15! For a new guide created by the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative to organize and lead a service to take and reflect on the Vow of Nonviolence; go to https://cutt.ly/nv-vow-prayer-service.
>> Join Pax Christi groups around the U.S. and the world in a public, visible demonstration on behalf of nonviolence. Have your group plan a march calling for peace in Ukraine or an end to nuclear weapons, host a public vigil or prayer service lifting up nonviolence, pass out leaflets offering nonviolent solutions to issues affecting your community, host a presentation at your parish or school – whatever you can do to raise public awareness during these days of action! Email Judy at jcoode@paxchristiusa.org to register your action and have it listed on our website.
For a complete list of resources for the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action, click here.