Vow of nonviolence

Our Congregation, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, signed up to the 'Call to Nonviolence and Just Peace' in 2017, committing ourselves to promote the understanding and practice of active nonviolence on the path to just peace, with a desire to be authentic disciples of Jesus, challenged and inspired by stories of hope and courage. During 2017 the Sisters reflected on the culture of peace and nonviolence, and one of the first actions they took through their Life and Mission Groups was their vow of nonviolence. Today, on the International Day of Nonviolence, we invite you to make and/or renew your vow of nonviolence.

We offer this as a focus for prayer and reflection to help individuals and communities affirm their intention / commitment to live a nonviolent life. It was created in the United States by Eileen Egan and Rev. John Dear. It can be used privately, with a local peace community, as part of a parish liturgy, or any other way that suits you. Many have used the prayer at the start of each year as part of their New Year observance.

Vow

Recognising the violence in my own heart, yet trusting in the goodness and mercy of God, I vow to practice the nonviolence of Jesus who taught us in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God... You have learned how it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you, ‘Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way, you will be daughters and sons of your Creator in heaven.”

by striving for peace within myself and seeking to be a peacemaker in my daily life;

by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence; by persevering in nonviolence of tongue and heart;

by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live;

by actively resisting evil and working nonviolently to abolish war and the causes of war from my own heart and from the face of the earth.

God, I trust in Your sustaining love and believe that just as You gave me the grace and desire to offer this, so You will also bestow abundant grace to fulfill it. 

Amen.