21 September – 2 October

Making active nonviolence our way of life in the Church and the world.

You are invited to study, pray, act and celebrate the power of nonviolence.

We are encouraging solidarity actions around the globe to promote and celebrate nonviolence between 21 September (International Day of Peace) and 2 October (International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday). Our hope is that this becomes an annual event.

Several events are already planned for this year’s commemoration.

Here are a range of tools and resources that can be adapted for use in your own community.

→Active nonviolence: Our way of life in the Church and the world, a preparatory document and questionnaire: This resource has been produced primarily as a tool and secondly as means of gathering information.

The introduction and preparatory section are background reading that set the scene, reminding us of the invitation of Pope Francis to shape a Church made of “artisans of peace.” The questions provide a framework for gauging experiences in nonviolence and to help groups and communities map out their response to this invitation.

→Making the vow of nonviolence: We offer this as a focus for prayer and reflection to help individuals and communities affirm their intention and commitment to live a nonviolent life. It was created in the United States by Eileen Egan and Rev. John Dear. It can be used privately, with a local peace community, as part of a parish liturgy, or any other way that suits you. Many have used the prayer at the start of each year as part of their New Year observance. It is available here in English, French, Arabic, Italian, Korean, and German.

→Framework to celebrate nonviolence: In our effort to encourage solidarity actions around the globe to promote and celebrate nonviolence between 21 September (International Day of Peace) and 2 October (International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday), we offer this document which offers a range of approaches that can be adapted for use in your own context.

Categories include prayer resources, suggestions for public witness, tools to make nonviolence a way of life, creating a nonviolent parish or community, and celebrating nonviolent heroes.

Please let us know what you plan and when it will take place. Email us at nonviolence@paxchristi.net.

Many thanks to the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’s People of God committee which has created and compiled these resources.