PCYAC holds annual retreat, prayer witness

From August 23-25, members of the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus (PCYAC) from Alabama, California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin gathered in Washington, DC for the annual PCYAC retreat, held this year at the Stuart Center.

This year’s retreat theme was inspired by Psalm 46’s exhortation to “Come, behold the works of God,” who bears peace and brings justice, which we co-create through our lives and work.

The world experiences “a third world war fought piecemeal,” says Pope Francis. This reality is visible both in open conflicts, like Sudan, Ukraine, the genocide against Gaza, U.S.-backed militarism in the Philippines, and in rising militarism, nationalism, and fascism. People at society’s margins and creation suffer most of all. To the world’s ills, the pope—following Jesus—offers the alternative of nonviolence as “a spirituality, a constructive force, an effective method for social transformation, and a powerful way of life committed to the well-being of all.”

This retreat offered an opportunity for young adults to deepen their call to nonviolence; explore what that means individually and communally; meet Charlene Howard, Pax Christi USA’s new Executive Director; participate in a public prayer witness outside the White House; have social time getting to know one another; celebrate Mass with 2005 Teacher of Peace Msgr. Ray East; and contribute to future planning as the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus.

Facilitator Kascha Sanor guided us through the weekend reflections using the spirituality and listening practice of the Sisters of St. Joseph to bring back what we noticed from our cities and contexts (“divide the city”), listening to the state of the heart, and naming the state of the house: Where are we being called? What might be next for us, as individuals and as PCYAC? 

Our prayer witness on August 24 — where we were joined by 2016 Teacher of Peace Art Laffin — focused on not only the harm U.S. militarism does abroad, especially in Gaza, but to our communities. In advance, we were invited to explore what your city and/or state pays in support of the war in Gaza and what that money could pay for in your community instead. From that research, we wrote prayer intentions which were voiced in our prayer outside the White House. 

Before leaving on Sunday, we had the opportunity to re-commit or take for the first time the Vow of Nonviolence. A smaller group after the official close of the retreat were able to visit the Museum of the Palestinian People in DC.

Special thanks goes to Bob Shine and facilitator Kasha Sanor and leadership team (below, left to right) Lasya Priya, Michelle Sherman, Jessica Sun, and Honorine Uwimana.

Stay tuned for more reflections from the retreat– we’ll share writings from participants in the September Peace Current!