Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action

You are invited to study, pray, act and celebrate the power of nonviolence.

In collaboration with our partners at Pax Christi, Columbans are encouraging solidarity actions around the globe to promote and celebrate nonviolence between 21 September (International Day of Peace) and 2 October (International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday). Several events are already planned for this year's commemoration. 

Tools & Resources

1. Making the vow of nonviolence: We offer this as a focus for prayer and reflection to help individuals and communities affirm their intention and commitment to live a nonviolent life. It was created in the United States by Eileen Egan and Rev. John Dear. It can be used privately, with a local peace community, as part of a parish liturgy, or any other way that suits you. Many have used the prayer at the start of each year as part of their New Year observance. It is available here in English, French, Arabic, Italian, Korean, and German.
2. Framework to celebrate nonviolence: In our effort to encourage solidarity actions around the globe to promote and celebrate nonviolence between 21 September (International Day of Peace) and 2 October (International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhi’s birthday), we offer this document which offers a range of approaches that can be adapted for use in your own context. Categories include prayer resources, suggestions for public witness, tools to make nonviolence a way of life, creating a nonviolent parish or community, and celebrating nonviolent heroes.

Thank you to the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’s People of God committee which has created and compiled these resources.