WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Province’s Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation has been working with Pace e Bene to develop a prayer resource for Advent 2008, Peace Becomes Flesh: A Franciscan Advent Program. It will be downloadable from the HNP Web site during the first week of November.
Advent is clearly a time when we are invited to consider what the “Coming Prince of Peace,” means for our world, according to Russell Testa, HNP’s director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
“Our world suffers from war, ethnic violence, gang violence, crime, destruction of nature, and the growing gap between rich and poor,” Testa added. “All of these challenges require us to turn to prayer, to turn to our Franciscan tradition and to seek guidance in what we need in the New Year for peace. 2009 will bring us a new President and a new Congress and a new opportunity to determine what course we should take as a nation. Clearly this is a time for prayer,” said Testa.
Peace Becomes Flesh from Holy Name Province and Pace e Bene will offer:
• Daily reflection on the seasonal scripture and Franciscan stories
• Daily prayers for peace
• Opportunities to try new practices and skills for peacemaking
• Invitations to take action for peace
• An on-going process “to deepen your Advent faith deepening experience,” Testa said.
The Advent prayer reflection is designed to be used by individuals, Franciscan houses, families and small groups.
For more information, contact Russ Testa, Holy Name Province JPIC animator at 202-527-7561 or jpic@hnp.org.