The MSSP Oratory Youth will hold a Vigil for Peace on Thursday, 16th October at 8.00pm at the Oratory MSSP in Birkirkara, joining Pope Leo’s worldwide invitation for the Church to dedicate this month to prayer for peace.
The vigil comes at a moment of deep global tension. Wars continue to scar communities in Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond, while countless lives are disrupted by violence, displacement, and loss. Pope Leo, speaking earlier this month, described these conflicts as “wounds that cry out to heaven,” urging the faithful to “take up the Rosary daily, that peace may find a home again in human hearts.”
October, traditionally known in the Church as the month of the Rosary, has been given renewed focus this year. Pope Leo has encouraged believers around the world to make it a time of concrete prayer and reflection for peace — not only between nations but also within families and communities torn by division.
The Vigil for Peace at the MSSP Oratory will be a simple and reflective gathering. It will include moments of silence, music, and the Rosary, with the intentions of peace in regions torn by war and in the ordinary struggles of daily life.
One is fully aware that prayer by itself will not end war overnight, but it keeps our hearts from becoming numb. This vigil is open to anyone who feels that ache for a gentler world — a space to breathe, to hope, and to believe that peace still has a chance.
The event is open to the public, regardless of age or faith background. Participants are encouraged to bring a candle or simply their quiet presence.