Like last year, the Munich CL community, together with the diocese, organized a moment of prayer for peace in a church in the city centre, the Heilig Geist Kirche. This year the church had its doors open, making the gesture public and open to the many curious tourists and locals passing by.

Like last year, the event was organised during the days of the World Security Conference, with the great gift of the participation of Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, who was in Munich to attend the conference. In his opening speech, he reminded us of the importance of praying for peace, “the only force to oppose hatred and war,” and of doing so together: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst,” was the Gospel quote with which he began his speech. He then recounted how the Pope, in addition to the 'ora' for peace, is also very committed to the 'labora' for peace, weaving diplomatic relations with everyone, starting with heads of state, to promote a culture of trust. Monsignor Gallagher's presence was a great testimony of unity with the Pope in his prophetic effort for peace.

The rosary was led by many friends of the community, who also prepared some German, Italian and English songs; they also prepared invitations and booklets with texts to follow and the letter of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to his diocese at the beginning of the conflict in the Holy Land. His words were read between the mysteries of the rosaries, reaffirming the importance of our contribution to peace: "To have the courage of love and peace here, today, means not allowing hatred, revenge, anger and pain to occupy all the space of our hearts, of our speeches, of our thinking."

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The chapter priest of Munich Cathedral thanked us at the end of the gesture for these readings, which helped us to understand our task at this moment in history. From this gesture, we took home a renewed urge to continue to give credence to the Pope’s request, praying that peace may also dominate our lives.

Carlo, Munich, Germany