Florence, a cry for peace from the elders of Montedomini
“Dearest mother in heaven, who hears the prayers of those who turn to you, today we entrust to your sweetest heart our yearning for peace, for the world that lives in the darkness of terror, hatred, and wars. Bring this our desire for peace, in the heart of your beloved son Jesus, prince of peace, so that with his goodness and mercy he may transform the minds of men”.
With these words a very intense moment of prayer ended, with which the elders of Montedomini prayed for the gift of peace in the world.
A new liturgical year began on Sunday 27 November and with it the season of Advent. “A time of waiting and hope – explains Don Rocco Melchionna – in which Jesus is welcomed as he enters personal and human history. He is the King of the universe, he is the prince of peace. This is the main reason why the elderly di Montedomini, who are a throbbing heart of the city of Florence, gathered in their church of San Ferdinando in Montedomini to address to God the desire for peace for humanity”.
With these words a very intense moment of prayer ended, with which the elders of Montedomini prayed for the gift of peace in the world.
A new liturgical year began on Sunday 27 November and with it the season of Advent. “A time of waiting and hope – explains Don Rocco Melchionna – in which Jesus is welcomed as he enters personal and human history. He is the King of the universe, he is the prince of peace. This is the main reason why the elderly di Montedomini, who are a throbbing heart of the city of Florence, gathered in their church of San Ferdinando in Montedomini to address to God the desire for peace for humanity”.
At the end of the Mass, everyone, carrying a balloon with the inscription “Peace” in their hands, went to the courtyard. Some balloons “carried an image of the Madonna, mother of peace with the prayer that was proclaimed behind them. At the end of the cry of ‘Lord give us peace’, the balloons were launched in flight”.
Looking into their faces, “in those shining eyes, one could glimpse the joy and trust in Jesus, and that their prayer will be answered”.