At the bottom of this article is a prayer that Catholics and others of good will might want to keep handy in the coming days. It was composed by the Custos of the Holy Land, a priest who leads the Franciscan Friars who take care of pilgrimage sites in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and other countries. It was written in response to an urgent call for prayer on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Both the Latin Patriarch and the Custos of the Holy Land are hoping that the Solemnity of the Assumption will prove to be a key moment “to turn the tide of the conflict” between Israel and Hamas.
The Custos, Fr. Francesco Patton, addressed a letter to the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, inviting them to dedicate the Solemnity to prayer for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world.
He requested and received from Cardinal Pizzaballa the ecclesiastical approval of the prayer to the Virgin.
“I seem to see a hopeful sign in the fact that the parties involved have agreed to resume talks for the ceasefire in Gaza, the liberation of the hostages and that of political prisoners on the very day in which we celebrate Mary assumed into Heaven,” Fr. Patton wrote.
For his part, Cardinal Pizzaballa issued a call August 10 to pray on August 15 for peace through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Patriarch hopes that parishes, contemplative and active apostolic communities, and the handful of pilgrims present in the Holy Land will unite “in the common desire for peace that we entrust to the Blessed Virgin.”
Crushed
The need for prayer at this time is crucial, Cardinal Pizzaballa says, as there seems to be no exit from the cycle of violence gripping the Holy Land right now. In fact, many fear an escalation in the conflict, especially after Israel assassinated Hamas' political leader in Tehran.
Israeli intelligence has determined that Iran is poised to attack Israel directly in retaliation for the assassination -- within days, two sources with direct knowledge of the issue told the news site Axios. The intelligence assessment indicates an attack could come before the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal talks planned for Thursday, “potentially jeopardizing negotiations at what Israeli officials have said is a 'now-or-never' moment for a potential deal between Israel and Hamas,” Axios said.
In his appeal, Cardinal Pizzaballa noted that "many months" have passed since the beginning of "this terrible war,” and said that the sufferings caused by the conflict "are not only unabated, but seem to be fueled again and again by hatred, resentment and contempt, which only intensify the violence and push away the possibility of finding solutions."
“Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to envision a conclusion to this conflict, whose impact on the lives of our people is greater and more painful than ever before,” the patriarch continued. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to find people and institutions with whom a dialogue about the future and peaceful relations is possible. We all seem to be crushed by this present, which is characterized by so much violence and, admittedly, anger.”
“All that remains” is prayer
The same day he wrote his letter, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on a school that was sheltering displaced people in Gaza [photo above shows bodies being brought to a local hospital].
Palestinian officials say the strike killed more than 100 people, including many women and children. A father lost his wife and newborn twins, just three days after their birth.
Israel said its air force targeted a “command and control center” that “served as a hideout for Hamas terrorists and commanders” at the school, Al-Tabin in the Daraj neighborhood of central Gaza City.
Israel said that steps had been taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, but claimed that Hamas “systematically violates international law and operates from within civilian shelters, brutally exploiting the civilian population and institutions as human shields for their terror activities.”
Glimpse of light
Pope Francis again asked for prayer for the situation, beseeching listeners to his Sunday Angelus address to “intensify” their prayers for peace and for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and the Middle East.
Pizzaballa in his statement said that “after having spent so many words and after having done what we can to help and be close to everyone, especially those who are most affected, all that remains is for us to pray.”
“In view of the many words of hatred that are all too often spoken, we would like to offer our prayer, which consists of words of reconciliation and peace,” he said, urging faithful to pray “that in this long night that we are living through, the intercession of the most holy Mary will open a glimpse of light for all of us and for the whole world.”
Supplication for peace to Our Lady assumed into Heaven
raised above the choirs of angels,
pray for us with St. Michael the Archangel
and with all the angelic powers of heaven and with all the saints,
to your most holy and beloved Son, our Lord and master.
Obtain for this Holy Land, for all His children and for all humanity the gift of reconciliation and peace.
May your prophecy be fulfilled:
the proud are scattered in the imaginations of their hearts;
the mighty are overthrown from their thrones,
and finally, the humble are raised;
Let the hungry be filled with good things,
the peaceful be recognized as children of God
and that the meek may receive the earth as a gift.
May Jesus Christ, your Son, grant us this,
He who exalted you today above the choirs of angels,
who crowned you with the diadem of the Kingdom,
and has placed you on the throne of eternal splendor.
To him be honor and glory forever. Amen.
