Throughout his time as pope, Pope Francis has frequently invited us to fast and pray for peace. For example, on September 7, 2013, soon after his election, he joined with thousands of people in St. Peter's Square to pray for peace in Syria. In 2017, he called for prayer and fasting for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan; in 2020, he urged the same for Lebanon; and in 2021, he appealed for peace in Afghanistan. On many recent occasions, he has asked that we pray for peace in Ukraine and Russia.
On October 2, the morning after the recent escalation of fighting in the Holy Land, Pope Francis called for a day of prayer and fasting on October 7, the first anniversary of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, for peace throughout the world.
October 7 is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. In 1569, Pope Pius V asked all Christians to pray the rosary for the end of war against the Turks. The decisive battle took place at Lepanto on October 7, 1570. In 1571, Pope Pius V attributed the victory to the power of praying the rosary, and established the day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. On Sunday October 6, the evening before feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Pope Francis led the rosary from the Basilica of Holy Mary in Rome.
Our pastor, Fr. Jasinski, invites every parishioner to frequently invoke Our Lady, Queen of Peace, for peace throughout the world. On October 7, make a special effort to fast and pray for peace.