This morning, on the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Holy Mass for the 57th World Day of Peace was celebrated in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Ballyroan, Dublin. The Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell, KC*HS; Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Archbishop Emeritus Diarmuid Martin, Bishop Emeritus Eamon Walsh; Fr Michael Murtagh, Parish Priest; Monsignors and Priests of the Archdiocese of Dublin and members of religious orders.

In attendance were members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Lieutenancy of Ireland; Papal Knights and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Homily of Archbishop Dermot Farrell, KC*HS.

Guiding our Feet on the Road of Peace

On this Solemnity dedicated to Mary, we are again reminded that the birth of Christ is a light that shines in the darkness.

Christmas is not a solution to the world’s problems, but a promise. Peacebuilding can be can be learned and taught. In the words of Pope St Paul VI, as he inaugurated the World Day of Peace 1968, “the world must be educated to love peace, to build it up and defend it.”

May Christ, the crucified Prince of Peace, be born us. May the Holy Spirit who brought Christ to life in Mary, bring the Prince of Peace to life in us. May the Spirit strengthen us, and guide our feet on the way of peace (see Luke 1:79).

+Dermot Farrell
Archbishop of Dublin

Photo credits: John Mc Elroy, Mark Kane and Raphael Kelly.