We invite you to join in praying the Holy Father’s intention for October – for greater collaboration between different religious traditions. Franciscan friar, Fr Mario, prays for this intention, asking the Lord to inspire us to listen with open hearts, to speak with respect and love and to work together for justice, peace and the dignity of every person with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Transcript
Hello, I’m Fr Mario Debattista and I’m here today to pray with you Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of October. Which is, for collaboration between different religious traditions. Pope Francis said, Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity. Today, our world seems to have no shortage of conflicts to address. Some are before our eyes daily in the media, most urgently in Ukraine and Gaza. But there are other conflicts causing misery to millions of people that are rarely brought to our attention such as in Sudan, Congo, Myanmar and other parts of the globe. All these conflicts encompass people of all faiths and none. They touch the lives of innocent men, women and children in ways that would touch any of us, irrespective of how we worship God. And these conflicts have another thing in common, they all violate the basic belief of all great religious traditions, that our Creator God has made us to live in peace and harmony so that what is truly good for human life may be justly shared by all of us. And so, let us pray. God of all nations and peoples, You are the Creator of every heart, and in Your image, all humanity is made. We thank You for the rich diversity of faiths and traditions that seek You, love You, and serve others in Your name. Lord, in this month of October, we join the Holy Father’s prayer intention, asking for a spirit of true collaboration between all religious traditions. Break down walls of division, misunderstanding, and fear. Inspire us to listen with open hearts, to speak with respect and love, and to work hand in hand for justice, peace, and the dignity of every person. May our shared commitment to compassion outweigh our differences and may our unity in purpose reveal Your light to a world too often in darkness. Through dialogue, service, and mutual care, may we be instruments of Your peace, working together to heal wounds, uplift the poor, and build bridges of hope. And we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.