It is now 25 years since, on October 27, 1986, Blessed Pope John Paul II invited heads and representatives of the Christian Churches and ecclesial communities and of the world religions for a Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi.
By that time, there had already been a number of inter-religious conferences on a regional or international level. However, John Paul II wanted to see religious leaders meeting for a day of prayer hinged on an invocation for peace. His message was particular: “More, perhaps, than ever before in history, the intrinsic link between an authentic religious attitude and the great good of peace has become evident to all.”
He chose the town of Assisi as the place for that first Day of Prayer for Peace because of the special significance of the holy man venerated there, St Francis, known and revered by so many throughout the world as a symbol of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood. The late Pope’s hope was that, inspired by the example of St Francis, his meekness and humility, the leaders of the world’s religions succeed in disposing their hearts for a new spirit of peace through prayer in true internal silence.
The event turned out to be a very enriching experience. It gave birth to what became known as “the spirit of Assisi”, a commitment to work for peace and further reconciliation among peoples, opposing every form of violence and the abuse of religion as a pretext for violence.
The flame of that spirit continued to be carried forward through the commitment of the Community of St Egidio of Rome. With the help of a network of friendship between representatives of different faiths and cultures from more than 60 countries, the community has promoted a pilgrimage of peace that, year after year, has had several stages in various European and Mediterranean cities, including Malta in October 1991. Pope John Paul II himself hosted another Assisi meeting in 2002. This encounter followed the September 11, 2001 horrendous attacks on America.
The spirit of Assisi for peace lived on. Defining the 1986 Assisi event as “an accurate prophecy”, Pope Benedict XVI continued to build on the foundations laid down by his predecessor. The next step will be today’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the historic 1986 gathering through a “day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world”.
The theme of the event is: Pilgrims Of Truth, Pilgrims Of Peace. It is built on the premise that every human being is ultimately a pilgrim in search of truth and goodness. The programme includes a pilgrimage by the Pope from Rome to Assisi with fellow Christians from different denominations, representatives of the world’s religious traditions and men and women of goodwill.
The commemoration will be emphasising the possibility, indeed, the necessity, of speaking and entering into dialogue with everyone, believers and unbelievers alike, without sacrificing one’s own identity. It wisely aims at opening the path to dialogue with the other, excluding no one and committing everyone to be a builder of fraternity and peace.
Religions are many and varied. They reflect the desire of men and women down through the ages to enter into a relationship with the Absolute Being. The third Assisi commemoration offers religious leaders the golden opportunity of meditating once again on their own responsibility to work for peace and to reunite in their symbolic declaration of their commitment to peace.