Pax Christi's vow of non-violence

Recognizing the violence in my own heart, yet trusting in the goodness and mercy of God, I vow to practise the non-violence of Jesus who taught us in the Sermon on the Mount:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called the sons and daughters of God. . . . You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbour 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.'"

Before God the Creator and the Holy Spirit, I vow to carry out in my life the love and example of Jesus:

• by striving for peace within myself and seeking to be a peacemaker in my daily life;
• by accepting suffering in the struggle for justice rather than inflicting it;
• by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence;
• by persevering in non-violence of tongue and heart;
• by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live or harm creation;
• by actively resisting evil and working non-violently 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.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter