by Wamũyũ Wachira
Co-President, Pax Christi International
Today, I pray with the Psalmist of 139, I thank God for each one of you, who are wonderfully made.
You are a blessing to Pax Christi International and to all you touch in our world.
Thank you for giving your all-in creating cultures of peace wherever you are.
Each one of you brings to this movement your special, unique, irreplaceable gifts.
Each day you go about your service unnoticed like a gentle breeze that soothes as it moves.
You heal wounds of other women, children, men and youth.
You lovingly listen to stories both of hope and despair of people that you accompany in your families and communities in all their forms.
You embrace the lonely, the refugees, the migrants and internally displaced.
You give shelter to the homeless and abandoned.
You are the nonviolent voice amid violent echoes.
You are the greatest advocate for those who are denied justice and their rights to life and freedom.
You are the instrument of peace in our violent and unfeeling world.
You are the beacon and anchor of hope for the broken-hearted and the wandering spirit.
You continue to weave the tapestry of life of our great movement.
You form part of the heartbeat of this movement ensuring its health and growth.
Shine you great women that have continued the dream of Marthe Dortel-Claudot.
Stand and be counted you women of substance.
Speak with that unique, nonviolent voice that you are renowned for.
Walk tall as you teach and live this new way – the way of nonviolence.
Bloom, our great peacemakers, bloom where you are planted.
For God will always be there with you, holding your hand and lifting you up when life is hard.
May God light your path and give you that peace that no one can take away from you.
Our Lord says, “Peace! I leave you. My peace I give to you! Go bear fruits, fruits that will abide and know that I am always with you until the end of times”.
I celebrate you! I pray for you! May God be gracious to you and bless you.