Peace: the cement of works of mercy
Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni
Peace as the foundation and fulfillment of works of mercy: the vigil presided over by Pope Leo XIV and the Laudato si' Community initiative in L'Aquila.
Seven o'clock works of mercy corporal – Feeding the hungry; Giving drink to the thirsty; Clothing the naked; Sheltering pilgrims; Visiting the sick; Visiting the imprisoned; Burying the dead – are summarized in the pursuit and building of peace.
The latter was implored last April 11, during a communal moment of prayer: a vigil in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, presided over by the Bishop of Rome, Leo XIV; and throughout the Christian world, which joined, spiritually and simultaneously, in the Pontiff's invitation.
His voice rose, urging all human beings of good will to seek peace through prayer and constructive work:
Let us, therefore, unite the moral and spiritual energies of millions, billions of men and women, of the elderly and young, who today believe in peace, who today choose peace, who heal the wounds and repair the damage left by the folly of war. Prayer commits us to convert what remains of violence in our hearts and minds: let us convert to a Kingdom of peace that is built day by day, in homes, schools, neighborhoods, civil and religious communities, reclaiming ground from controversy and resignation with friendship and the culture of encounter. Let us return to believing in love, in moderation, in good politics. Let us educate ourselves and engage in it firsthand, each responding to his or her own vocation. Everyone has their place in the mosaic of peace!
Providentially, at the same time, also our Laudato si' Community “L'Aquila-Trasacco” has promoted, together with the free Choral Association “L'Aquila in Canto”, a charity evening: “Peace in Music and Poetry”, included in the “Ecumenical Music” review.
In the Basilica of San Giuseppe Artigiano in L'Aquila, the evening of harmony and beauty saw the performance of the Instrumental and choral ensemble L'Aquila in Canto, especially with: the soprano Marianna Volkova, the mezzo-soprano Evgeniia Nartsissova, led by the director Victor Lucchese.
They performed music by: J.S. Bach, D. Bortnjanskij, C. Colafranceschi – E. Monti; M. Frisina, G. Liberto, V. Lucchese, WA Mozart, L. Ortolani and GH Stölzel; accompanied by the flute: Claudia Vittorini; from the Violins: Patrizio Pagliuca, Alessandra Chiarelli; from Viola: Valeria Cattivera; from the Cello: Domenico Rago; from the Double Bass: Tonino Ieie; from the Organ: Antonio Gabriele Pasquarelli.
Poems by Gianni Rodari, Salvatore Quasimodo, Bertolt Brecht, Mahatma Gandhi, and Li Tien Min were recited, and prayers by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Saint Francis of Assisi were recited.
Revelation and universal salvation reach us, preventively and freely; and at the same time, they question our freedom, so that it may be converted: «Let us therefore seek what leads to peace and mutual edification» (Rom 14,19:XNUMX).
In the distant 1219, while the crusader army was besieging Damietta, a small and poor man – on the other hand – went on a pilgrimage to Egypt, to the sultan Melek-el-Kamel: FFrancis of Assisi became a neighbor in goodness, a brother seeking communion and dialogue, believer in the God who unites and reconciles in love.
Let us draw on hope in this time of significant geopolitical upheaval; let us embody the commitment to peace that the Bishop of Rome, Francis, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, proclaimed in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019; let us reiterate the very first words of Pope Leo XIV: "Peace be with you all! An unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering" (May 8, 2025). Let us build new and redeemed relationships, imbued with sobriety.
Images
- Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni
- Photo by Piero Sirianni (L'Aquila in Canto instrumental and choral ensemble)
Peace as the foundation and fulfillment of works of mercy: the vigil presided over by Pope Leo XIV and the Laudato si' Community initiative in L'Aquila.
Seven o'clock works of mercy corporal – Feeding the hungry; Giving drink to the thirsty; Clothing the naked; Sheltering pilgrims; Visiting the sick; Visiting the imprisoned; Burying the dead – are summarized in the pursuit and building of peace.
The latter was implored last April 11, during a communal moment of prayer: a vigil in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, presided over by the Bishop of Rome, Leo XIV; and throughout the Christian world, which joined, spiritually and simultaneously, in the Pontiff's invitation.
His voice rose, urging all human beings of good will to seek peace through prayer and constructive work:
Let us, therefore, unite the moral and spiritual energies of millions, billions of men and women, of the elderly and young, who today believe in peace, who today choose peace, who heal the wounds and repair the damage left by the folly of war. Prayer commits us to convert what remains of violence in our hearts and minds: let us convert to a Kingdom of peace that is built day by day, in homes, schools, neighborhoods, civil and religious communities, reclaiming ground from controversy and resignation with friendship and the culture of encounter. Let us return to believing in love, in moderation, in good politics. Let us educate ourselves and engage in it firsthand, each responding to his or her own vocation. Everyone has their place in the mosaic of peace!
Providentially, at the same time, also our Laudato si' Community “L'Aquila-Trasacco” has promoted, together with the free Choral Association “L'Aquila in Canto”, a charity evening: “Peace in Music and Poetry”, included in the “Ecumenical Music” review.
In the Basilica of San Giuseppe Artigiano in L'Aquila, the evening of harmony and beauty saw the performance of the Instrumental and choral ensemble L'Aquila in Canto, especially with: the soprano Marianna Volkova, the mezzo-soprano Evgeniia Nartsissova, led by the director Victor Lucchese.
They performed music by: J.S. Bach, D. Bortnjanskij, C. Colafranceschi – E. Monti; M. Frisina, G. Liberto, V. Lucchese, WA Mozart, L. Ortolani and GH Stölzel; accompanied by the flute: Claudia Vittorini; from the Violins: Patrizio Pagliuca, Alessandra Chiarelli; from Viola: Valeria Cattivera; from the Cello: Domenico Rago; from the Double Bass: Tonino Ieie; from the Organ: Antonio Gabriele Pasquarelli.
Poems by Gianni Rodari, Salvatore Quasimodo, Bertolt Brecht, Mahatma Gandhi, and Li Tien Min were recited, and prayers by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Saint Francis of Assisi were recited.
Revelation and universal salvation reach us, preventively and freely; and at the same time, they question our freedom, so that it may be converted: «Let us therefore seek what leads to peace and mutual edification» (Rom 14,19:XNUMX).
In the distant 1219, while the crusader army was besieging Damietta, a small and poor man – on the other hand – went on a pilgrimage to Egypt, to the sultan Melek-el-Kamel: FFrancis of Assisi became a neighbor in goodness, a brother seeking communion and dialogue, believer in the God who unites and reconciles in love.
Let us draw on hope in this time of significant geopolitical upheaval; let us embody the commitment to peace that the Bishop of Rome, Francis, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, proclaimed in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019; let us reiterate the very first words of Pope Leo XIV: "Peace be with you all! An unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering" (May 8, 2025). Let us build new and redeemed relationships, imbued with sobriety.
Images
- Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni
- Photo by Piero Sirianni (L'Aquila in Canto instrumental and choral ensemble)
Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni
