Peace and Justice
Peace Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
- Prayer of St. Francis
"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."
- St. Francis De Sales
Yearning to Breath Free
While visiting the "Embracing Our Differences" exhibit recently at Poynter Park in St. Petersburg FL, the following painting and quote by Wayne Ramirez was particularly moving and speaks to the diversity and inclusion that is an essential part of all true faith journeys.
The following feedback was sent to the artist (Wayne Ramirez)...
I have shared your painting with so many people (in my Franciscan groups, in my Spiritual Companionship groups, and in my parish). We have discussed what we see in the painting and the emotions it generates for us. We talk about the tears. We talk about the child. We talk about the barbed wire, and what it speaks to us about our own involvement in the systemic prejudices of our country and society.
But, the feature of your painting that generates the greatest discussion is the hands. People have commented about the hands looking like adult hands (rather than a child's hands). Other's see the hands as God's hands reaching out on behalf of the child. And another commented that they thought the hands might be the hands of one of the parents (who is underwater) who is lifting up their child, sacrificing themselves to give hope to their child.
Here is his response...
I am most impressed by the depth and diversity of discussion the painting has evoked... Their comments moved me to also think about subconscious reasons why I may have added the outstretched hands which I painted after I painted the child. The conscious reason I painted the hands is reflected in the following “artist statement“ which was submitted to “Embracing Our Differences”
“While the image of the child, with tearful eyes in my painting is the product of my imagination, she represents the reality of what thousands of migrant children confront at the United States and Mexican borders.
There is a humanitarian and moral disconnect between the words that embodies the national spirit and conscience written on the pedestal of the statue of liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free…” and the continued dysfunction of our immigration and asylum system.
As an increasingly polarized Congress continues to avoid approving humane legislative immigration reform, a child with pleading hands reaches through a barbed wire fence as if to ask: what about the children “Yearning to breathe free?”
From an artistic perspective, I painted the child’s tear filled eyes staring directly at the viewer and her outstretched hands to create the illusion that the viewer is able to save the child. In short, my goal is to invite the viewer into the canvas to interact and participate in a symbolic and real life struggle.
Matthew 19:14 “let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven“
Principles of Social Justice
CST 101 is a collaborative 7-part video and discussion guide series presented by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services on Catholic social teaching. The videos bring the themes of Catholic social teaching to life and inspire us to put our faith into action.
LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
The foundation of all the principles of our social teaching
PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE
The needs of the poor and vulnerable come first
SOLIDARITY
We are one human family
CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION
Family and Community seeking together the common good
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency
THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS
Work is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation The basic rights of workers must be respected
CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION
Living in relationship and kinship with all of God’s creation
Helpful Resources and Organizations
On Fraternity and Social Friendship
Pope Francis reflects on human solidarity and friendship. The Holy Father calls us to live out our Christian duty to see the face of Jesus in our neighbors, recognizing everyone we meet as a brother or sister. By fostering a genuine affection for all, we reaffirm the dignity of every human person created in the image and likeness of God.
Bread for the World is a Christian advocacy organization urging U.S. decision makers to do all they can to pursue a world without hunger.
Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty, and human rights.
Carrying out St. Francis’ legacy, Franciscan Missions' priority is always to aid the poor. Their mission is to care for the poor via simple things such as providing shelter, building a place of worship, supporting friars and empowering others to assist in these life changing gifts.
“The aim of the Catholic Worker movement is to live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ. . . . This aim requires us to begin living in a different way. We recall the words of our founders, Dorothy Day who said, ‘God meant things to be much easier than we have made them,’ and Peter Maurin who wanted to build a society ‘where it is easier for people to be good.’”
Unbound helps children, youth, elders and their families in Africa, Asia and Latin America build their unique paths out of poverty. They invite all people of goodwill to join their community and walk in solidarity with the world’s poor through one-to-one sponsorship.
A voice at the United Nations, Franciscans International stands with some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Together, we use human rights as our tool to advocate for dignity, peace, and environmental justice.
Catholic Relief Services is committed to assisting the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS is motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social teaching.
Local Engagement in Social and Environmental Justice Rooted in Franciscan Spirituality
Franciscan Justice Circles connect Franciscan-hearted individuals who feel called to engage in local grassroots advocacy.
Rooted in the tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare, the Franciscan Justice Circles move us toward being a community of love in action for justice. Conversations are happening across the country now.
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