Spirit of Assisi
25 years ago, Pope John Paul II made a prophetic and unprecedented gesture, inviting
leaders of all the world’s major religions to the Umbrian hill town of Assisi to pray
for peace in the world. The invitation was accepted by around 70 religious representatives who gathered with the former Pope outside the great Basilica dedicated to St Francis. That striking image and renewed spirit of dialogue has inspired ecumenical and interfaith groups around the world ever since – in a particular way within the Franciscan family among brothers and sisters whose lives are committed in a special way to the promotion of justice and peace in the world.
Fr Peter Damian Massengill works as an assistant to the secretary general of the Conventual Franciscan Friars at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles here in Rome and has been involved with the organisation of events marking the 25th anniversary of that first day of prayer for peace in Assisi within the Franciscan family. While Pope Benedict will be leading a commemorative event in the city of St Francis itself, other celebrations are expected to take place in parishes, communities and cities across the globe, recalling and recommitting all people of good will to that same Spirit of Assisi.
To find out more about the form these celebrations will take place, Philippa Hitchen talked with Fr Peter Damian and with Sr Nancy Celaschi, a general councillor of the School Sisters of St Francis….
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