Fr Dominic Robinson SJ Prayer for Peace at Nagasaki Day Commemoration Ceremony

Image: ICN/JS

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, Parish priest at Farm Street Church gave the following reflection and prayer at the interfaith Nagasaki Day Commemoration Ceremony at the London Peace Pagoda, Battersea on Saturday, 9 August.

A Catholic Prayer

A group of us have just walked from a service at Westminster Cathedral, commemorating the life and witness of the Catholic layman, Blessed Franz Jägerstätter.

Blessed Franz was conscientious objector, who refused to bow his head to Hitler. His Catholic faith convicted him in his belief that serving both Hitler and God was impossible. For his refusal to serve a violent Nazi cause, he was executed 82 years ago to this day.

When in prison, he was offered the New Testament to read. He replied, "I am completely bound in inner union with the Lord, and any reading would only interrupt my communication with my God".

It is a reminder for us that intentional, prayerful silence can give us space to call out to the Divine. In this silence of our own hearts, may we take a moment of silence, asking for peace in our world…

This evening, we meet to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. In the words of Pope Leo XIV, writing to the Bishop of Hiroshima this week, "It is thus my prayer that this solemn anniversary will serve as a call to the international community to renew its commitment to pursuing lasting peace for our whole human family - "a peace that is unarmed and disarming" (First Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et Orbi", 8 May 2025). Upon all who mark this anniversary, I willingly invoke abundant divine blessings."

To conclude, a prayer for peace from the late Pope Francis, imploring the intercession of Mary, Jesus' mother - the Queen of Peace:

We invoke you for the mercy of God, O Queen of Peace! Transform the hearts of those who fuel hatred, silence the din of weapons that generate death, extinguish the violence that brews in the heart of humanity, and inspire projects for peace in the actions of those who govern nations. Amen.

LINKS

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter Quote & Info: www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20071026_jagerstatter_en.html
Pope Leo XIV Quote:
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/08/05/250805a.html
Pope Francis Prayer:
www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-francis-rosary-prayer-peace-mary-major.html