>> In March 2023, we have joined with more than 60 other faith based groups to send a message to Congress to urge dramatic cuts to military spending in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget — both to facilitate reinvestment in the wellbeing of our communities, and to curtail the harms of our militarized foreign policy. Use this link to read the letter.

In 2022, Pax Christi USA reimagined a campaign that we launched back in 1999, Bread Not Stones, aimed at redirecting the obscene amount of money the U.S. invests in military spending to the challenges presented by the pandemic, the climate crisis, racial oppression, and economic injustice. Find the initial statement launching this campaign here.

Despite the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, the U.S. has continued to operate out of the mentality that peace is assured through military might, the manufacturing of weapons, and investment in preparation for war. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary as a movement this year, we are drawing on the lessons of the past to address the issues of the present in order to create a better future. We draw inspiration from the original Bread Not Stones campaign of 1999-2000 in launching this new iteration.

To help us challenge our nation’s budget priorities, Bread Not Stones was re-launched in September 2022, in part to celebrate St. Pope Paul VI, whose birthday is September 26, and in part to commemorate the Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action. Pope Paul VI had a significant impact on Catholic Social Teaching by making the connection between the social and economic development of people with the building of genuine peace. The Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action promote nonviolence globally, with actions taken by Pax Christi communities around the world.

2022 DAYS OF ACTION: SEPTEMBER 19-26

>> Over 25 actions across 18 states took place during the September Days of Action. Click here for a recap. Find a full report-back in the Fall 2022 issue of The Peace Current here.

View photos from the Days of Action here.

BREAD NOT STONES Toolkit:

  • Bread of Life Ritual by Nancy Small, Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace. This ritual can be performed virtually or in person. Materials needed may include stones, table/altar, tablecloth, and bread.
  • Resources for prayer and direct action by Tom Cordaro, Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace. This document contains several resources that you can use for prayer services, during Masses, and at public demonstrations, rallies, and vigils in your community. Feel free to adapt these resources as needed.
  • Talking points for legislative visits. This document contains information on what our primary asks for and how to invite their support for the People Over Pentagon Act of 2022. Feel free to adapt these resources as needed.

Resources and partner organizations:

Press coverage:

Past Bread Not Stones activity:

Join us in committing to these days of action for the Bread Not Stones campaign, September 19-25, 2022. Sign-up here to receive more information. (NOTE: If you already signed on when we issued the statement in the spring, no need to sign on again.) More materials will be made available to help you organize in the coming weeks around these three components of the campaign:

  • Legislative visits September 19-23
  • Day of public action, September 24
  • Parish outreach, September 25