I would like to wish you all the blessings of this holy season and to offer you the greeting that is given to pilgrims who travel to the little town of Assisi in Italy. I experienced this greeting firsthand this past summer – ‘Pax et Bonum’ – Peace and All Good. They are words that are so appropriate for this time of the year and stand in opposition to the daily news that often brings messages of fear, hatred, or destruction.
My wish for this season is –
Peace and All Good to you as you go about your daily life, bringing the Peace of Christ wherever you go.
Peace and All Good to your loved ones who care about you and support you in good times and in difficult.
Peace and All Good to our city, to our country and the world.
Peace and All Good.
It begins with me. It begins with you.
There is a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that begins: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sew love; where there is doubt -faith; where there is despair – hope, and where there is sadness, ever joy.” May we all be instruments of Christ’s peace in our time.
With blessings of Peace and All Good,
Archdeacon Anne
I will be praying for those of you who are travelling to places of worship this evening, or to be with loved ones. May God grant you travelling mercies.