World Day of Peace

Held on : 21st September

The World Day of Peace is a feast day of the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to peace which is held on January 1, on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The World Day of Peace has often been a time when popes make magisterial declarations relevant to the social doctrine of the Church. Paul VI and John Paul II have each year made important statements on the United Nations, human rights, women's rights, labour unions, economic development, the right to life, international diplomacy, peace in the Holy Land, globalization and terrorism.

World Day of Peace History

It was introduced in 1967 and was inspired by the encyclicals Pacem in Terris and Populorum Progressio of John XXIII and Paul VI. Pope Paul VI observed the very first World Day of Peace on January1, 1968.  He made a declaration on that day - "This commemoration be repeated as a hope and as a promise, at the beginning of the calendar which measures and outlines the path of human life in time, that Peace with its just and beneficent equilibrium may dominate the development of events to come". January 1st was chosen because it is start of the new year and what better way than to welcome the New Year with an occasion to commit ourselves towards a more happy, ordered and civilized world.

World Day of Peace Events

• To inaugurate the day, the United Nations Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters (in New York City). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, as "a reminder of the human cost of war"; the inscription on its side reads, "Long live absolute world peace"

• On this day the present Pope makes magisterial declarations relevant to the social doctrine of the Church.

• Other activities include private gatherings, public concerts and forums involving large audiences.

World Day of Peace Themes

Pope Benedict XVI declared the Theme for 2010 World Day Of Peace as - 'If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation.'

Previous year's Themes:

2009 - Fighting Poverty to Build Peace
2008 - The Human Family, a Community of Peace.
2007 - The Human Person, the Heart of Peace.
2006 - In Truth, Peace.

Holiday Status - It is a Public Holiday in most countries of the world.