Mary bore Jesus, the "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5). Mary is called the Queen of Peace. "When the designated time had come" (Gal 4:4), she bore (Mi 5:2) a child "Who is our Peace" (Eph 2:14; see also Mi 5:4). This Child came "to make peace" (Eph 2:15) and announce the "good news of peace" (Eph 2:17). Jesus made "peace through the blood of His cross" (Col 1:20).

How ironic that Mary, the woman of peace, was forced to live in such turmoil and sorrow. As a teenage mother, she had to flee to Egypt as a refugee in the middle of the night to save her Son from government armies who were trying to hunt Him down and assassinate Him (Mt 2:13ff). Even as she raised her Son "to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Lk 1:79), her heart was pierced many times with a sword of sorrow (Lk 2:35). Finally, Mary had to suffer the unspeakable agony of standing at the foot of the cross of her only Son, watching Him die a humiliating, most excruciating death (Jn 19:25ff).

With Mary, the blessed "peacemaker" (see Mt 5:9), begin this first day of the new year by praying for peace. On this world day of prayer for peace, join Mary, Queen of Peace, in asking her Son, the Prince of Peace, for shalom-peace for our world.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005

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