As Pax Christi International celebrates its 80th anniversary, this Lenten campaign invites us to reflect on the impact of decades of peacebuilding and the transformative power of nonviolence. Each Sunday, voices from different regions will share how nonviolent bridges are being built, for healing, dialogue, justice, and peace. Through these reflections, we prepare our hearts for Easter, embracing the call to conversion and reconciliation.
All reflections are gathered in a PDF accessible here, which is regularly updated.
Ash Wednesday – March 5, 2025
Reflection by Bishop (Em.) Marc Stenger, Co-president, Pax Christi International
Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a time of year when we are invited to become aware of our ephemeral and fallible nature and the call to convert, to turn toward others, to recognise the need for reconciliation, and to embrace the perfection of charity.
Very concretely, the Word of God sets out how to prepare for Easter: to grow in the sincerity of our desire for peace, to strengthen our fraternity, and to do penance. This penance can be summed up in three acts: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
First Sunday of Lent – March 9, 2025
Reflection by Sr, Wamũyũ Wachira (IBVM), Co-president, Pax Christi International – Nonviolent Bridges for Healing
“The visitor heals the sick” – African proverb [1] – Lent is a very special time of the year when we get another opportunity to reflect not only on our lives but also on our relationship with the world around us. Allow me invite you to journey with me this First Sunday of Lent, 2025. Today, we move to the continent of Africa, especially, Central and Eastern Africa where we, Pax Christi International members have been serving communities experiencing different forms of violent conflicts. We do this through prayer, advocacy and training in active nonviolence and peacebuilding.
Second Sunday of Lent – March 16, 2025
Sr. Bridget Crisp rsm, Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand – Nonviolent Bridges for Dialogue
To create stable, enduring, good, nonviolent dialogue between individuals and people, we must couple or bridge dialogue with active and authentic listening. The nations of our world have not had good relationships with the Indigenous peoples of their lands. Colonisation has affected all parts of the world. In history, we have seen global powers conquer the world and take ownership of lands not their own, stripping First Peoples/Indigenous Peoples of their culture and values. The dialogue with Indigenous peoples and governing bodies has often been one-sided and lacked active listening.
Come back to read the reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent, and check this page regularly for weekly updates with new reflections!
For additional Lenten resources and activities from our members, explore the links below.
🟣 Reflections by Pax Christi USA
🟣 Online Lent Book Club by Pax Christi England and Wales
🟣 Reflections by Pax Christi Vlaanderen
