A Message of Healing and Hope: "Pacem in Terris"

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message to Professor Mary Ann Glendon, the President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences to mark the Eighteenth Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy, which is observing the fiftieth anniversary of Blessed John XXIII’s Encyclical Letter, "Pacem in Terris."

The Pope said “the vision offered by Pope John still has much to teach us as we struggle to face the new challenges for peace and justice in the post-Cold-War era.”

Pope Benedict said the notion of forgiveness needs to find its way into international discourse on conflict resolution.  “It is the combination of justice and forgiveness, of justice and grace, which lies at the heart of the divine response to human wrong-doing, at the heart, in other words, of the ‘divinely established order’”, he said. “Forgiveness is not a denial of wrong-doing, but a participation in the healing and transforming love of God which reconciles and restores…

Let us take heart, then, as we struggle for peace and justice in the world today, confident that our common pursuit of the divinely established order, of a world where the dignity of every human person is accorded the respect that is due, can and will bear fruit.  I commend your deliberations to the maternal guidance of Our Lady, Queen of Peace….”

For the complete text and more information please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-message-to-pontifical-academy-of-social-scien

http://www.news.va/en/news/perennial-importance-of-the-encyclical-pacem-in-te

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem_en.html

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Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer Intentions for May

His Holiness’ general prayer intention for May is:

"That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society".

His mission intention is:

"That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelisation, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus".

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Prayer to Mary, Queen of Peace

O Loving God, your Son, Jesus, came into this world to do your will and leave us His peace.  Through the intercession and example of our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, grant us the wisdom and humility to reflect that peace to the world.  Inspire our thoughts, words and deeds to bear witness to your presence in our hearts.  May your Holy Spirit fill us with every grace and blessing so that we may pursue what leads to peace for all humanity.  Amen.

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