On Wednesday, May 24th, United States President Donald Trump proclaimed that Memorial Day (May 29th) will be a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace. It’s no coincidence that he initiated this day of prayer on the same day that he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
During their meeting, Pope Francis encouraged President Trump to work towards creating peace in our world and gifted him with a medallion made by a Roman artist featuring an olive tree as a symbol of peace. You can see this beautiful medallion in the video below. At the conclusion of their visit, President Trump thanked Pope Francis and said, “I won’t forget what you said.” Let us pray that this visit will have a lasting impact on President Trump and his future decisions.
Regardless of how you feel about President Trump’s policies and actions, we can all agree that praying for permanent peace throughout the world is a non-partisan desire, worthy of our full support. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website provides a scriptural rosary for peace and justice, which would be an excellent way to pray with your family and friends as you enjoy your holiday together. The President has asked that 11 am (whatever your time zone) be the time that we all join together in our prayer for permanent peace.
Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace
Here are a few excerpts from President Trump’s proclamation for this Memorial Day to be a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace.
“Memorial Day is our Nation’s solemn reminder that freedom is never free. It is a moment of collective reflection on the noble sacrifices of those who gave the last measure of devotion in service of our ideals and in the defense of our Nation. On this ceremonious day, we remember the fallen, we pray for a lasting peace among nations, and we honor these guardians of our inalienable rights. “
“In honor and recognition of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance.
I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.”
