Weekly Peace Prayer
for May 5, 2026
prepared by
Sister Carmel Little, CSJP
Constitutions:
As we live our mission of peace, we continue to be enriched
by the hope shared among us and brought to us by new members
and by the lives of those who walk and work with us. # 78
Reading: A quote from Pope Francis as published in the NCR
“Our time has a great need for hope! The young can no longer be robbed of hope. … The young need hope. It is necessary to offer concrete signs of hope to those who experience pain and suffering. Social organizations and associations, as well as individuals who strive towards acceptance and sharing, are generators of hope. Therefore, I exhort your Christian communities to be agents of solidarity, never to stop before those who, for mere personal interest, sow self-centeredness, violence and injustice. Oppose yourselves to the culture of death and be witnesses to the Gospel of life! May the light of God’s Word and the support of the Holy Spirit help you to look with new and willing eyes upon the new forms of poverty that drive so many young people and families to desperation.”
Audience with Italian diocese of Cassano all’Jonio
in the region of Calabria, Feb. 21, 2015
Prayer:
Christ Jesus, you are our hope. You are the source of our power.
United with you we engage in the struggle against the reality
of violence and oppression. Be our courage as we work
for a world where all people live in peace. Help us to be a source of hope to others and a sign of your compassion in the world.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Quiet Reflection
Reading:
To have hope
Is to believe that history continues open
To the dream of God and human creativity.
To have hope
is to continue affirming
that is it possible to dream a different world,
without hunger, without injustice,
without discrimination.
To have hope
Is to be a courier of God
And courier of men and women of good will,
Tearing down walls, destroying borders,
Building bridges.
To have hope
Is to believe in the revolutionary potential of faith,
Is to leave the door open so that
The Spirit can enter and make all things anew.
To have hope
Is to believe that life wins over death.
To have hope
Is to begin again as many times as necessary.
To have hope
Is to believe that hope is not
the last thing that dies.
To have hope
Is to believe that hope cannot die,
That hope no longer dies.
To have hope
Is to live.
Missionary sisters of St. Charles Borromeo (Honduras)
Quiet Reflection
Prayer:
God of hope, give us hearts filled with hope so we will continue to work for justice with commitment and courage and help bring about a world of peace. Hear our prayer and bless us with your peace. We praise you in Jesus’ name. Amen
Blessing:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in God, so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
