As the United States commemorates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Pax Christi USA offers the following reflections and resources for use by individuals, small groups, and parishes.
We welcome your ideas and suggestions for additional resources. Please send them to Judy Coode or Michelle Sherman.
Prayer
- Pax Christi USA liturgical aid for 2026
- Prayers of the faithful: A more perfect union, offered by Pax Christi Illinois
- Prayer for a violent nation, by Kaitlin Curtice
- Prayer for a better America, by Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS
- Prayer for an honest look at history, by Dan Rhodes
- Prayer for elected leadership, from the Benedictine Sisters at Mt. St. Scholastica
- Prayer for Congress and a moral budget, by Rev. William Barber and others
- A prayer of gratitude from Denis Dunn
- 40-day fast for Gospel nonviolence — In a world plagued by all kinds of violence, join in this annual 40-day fast begun practiced by individuals and communities from all over the country. It begins on July 1 and ending on August 9, the triple anniversary of St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) who was killed at Auschwitz in 1942; Blessed Franz Jägerstätter who was beheaded for refusing to serve in Hitler’s army (the army of a “Christian” nation) in 1943; and the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, the largest and oldest Christian community in that country which killed 140,000 people in 1945. You can pick a day or several days any time during the 40 days to fast, whether from food, social media, TV, or whatever will be a sacrifice for you. Contact nypaxchristi@gmail.com to register your fast day(s).
Study
- Statements from Pax Christi USA working groups
- Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Tom Cordaro shared, “What is an American?” at a 2010 immigrants rights rally in Illinois.
- Pax Christi USA statement from 1976, “Bicentennial America: Thou shalt not overkill”
- This document, written 50 years ago, was Pax Christi USA’s contribution to the bicentennial observations. It is fascinating to see the similarities to two of our current priorities — nuclear disarmament and conscientious objection — and the differences — in 1976, many peace activists were deeply concerned about the plight of young men who had left the US to avoid the Vietnam War draft and were actively advocating for amnesty to allow these men to return without fear of criminal prosecution. Another priority in 1976 was promotion of the United Nations; our endorsement of the UN, which we still believe is an important piece of international cooperation and governance, is more muted today. One stark difference between the 1976 document and the work of Pax Christi USA today is that the 1976 document makes no mention of personal and systemic racism or economic injustice.
- Freedom, Independence and Inalienable Rights, from Back from the Brink
- Declaration of commitment, from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious
- Time to grow up America, a reflection from Johnny Zokovitch
- Restoring narratives to fulfill equality declared in 1776, a reflection by Leslye Colvin
Action
- Check out NETWORK Lobby’s campaign, See. Love. Vote
- The Pax Christi USA Indigenous Solidarity Working Group invites all Pax Christi members to join a study circle this September and October on Sarah Augustine’s book The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. More information will be available in August.
- FOR FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, ETC: Use these printable templates to print off and complete messages for peace and nonviolence. Then take a picture with them — around schools, parishes, etc. Messages include: “Interdependence over Independence!” – “Honoring Prophet of Peace _________” – “We the People _______” – “Our dream for the country and world: _______.” Download, fill in the blank, take a photo, share on your social media, and make sure to tag @PaxChristiUSA on your posts!