The celebration of the Spirit of Assisi, 2024

On the afternoon of 27th October in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels the memorial celebrations for 38 years of the experience that marked an important and step known as “The Spirit of Assisi”, fundamental for interreligious dialogue were concluded.  On 27th October 1986, Pope St. John Paul II had a prophetic intuition of inviting the representatives of various religions of the World at Assisi so as to offer to God, many souls in various languages in one song of peace. At this year’s celebration of 38 years, the invocation that with more voices was repeated for the world that is better, renewed, deeply fraternal and human. The event closed an important message and the desire for peace shared by all persons of good will taking into account of what is happening in the world. 

The spirit of Assisi this year took place on Friday in the hall of stripping at the bishop’s residence followed by prayer on 26th in the city-Church -Laudato Si’. On Sunday morning the Solemn celebration took place in the Major Basilica and was celebrated by Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of the Diocese of Assisi - Nocera Umbria and Gualdo Tadino. « What was done by St.  John Paolo II in1986, is taking place here where we are – said the bishop in his homily –, putting together all our faiths, religions, the testimony of humanity with our True and one God, who is not God of war, but God of peace: a father who feels the need of cherishing and embracing his children. Jesus is God, who surrendered himself totally. St. Francis did it also by striping himself and became nude».

In the afternoon in the refectory of the Basilica there was an interrligious prayer that was touching, it was opened by Fr. Tonio Dell’Olio, Chairman from the Commission of the “Spirit of Assisi”, and Fr. Danilo Tremolada OFM, Vicar of Portiuncula Convent.  « We are in a period in which the war inflicts on others the ills of this world: We need programs so that we may not lose hope but together invoke for peace”, said, Fr. Danilo.

The prayers were articulated in music that was edited by Arca of Nazareth in Nova laude composition. After reading from the document of 2019 “Human Fraternity for world and peace and living together” of Abu Dhabi, Antonella Violi from the Waldensian Church prayed with the words of psalm 85. Brother Finnian from the Anglican Church reflected on the prayer as inspired from by Aramaic version on the beatitudes of Jesus, while for the Moslems Judi Chahien invoked Allah to diffuse his love on humanity for the love of creation, peace, and fraternity; Mohammad Bezzaz recited the first chapter of the Koran, “Al Fatiha”, ’Aprente.

The “Prayer of the Mothers” from Hebrew tradition was read by Thérèse Goshen-Gottstein in connection with Jerusalem. Later, it was a turn for Roman Orthodox Church. The prayer was carried out by Fr. Petru Heisu and Erika Chierico who shared from the traditional writings of “Bahai”, manifesting the desire for peace for all humanity. The prayer was concluded by the remarks from Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino, the bishop of Assisi Nocera Umbria and Gualdo Tadino of Foligno inviting all participants to the common room of St. Joseph.

Fonte and photos: www.assisiofm.it