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A link to Dialogue and Peace

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Commemoration: Death Anniversary of Fr. Salvatore Carzedda

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COMMEMORATION: Death Anniversary of Fr. Salvatore Carzedda

We would like to reconnect with you as we commemorate the death anniversary of Fr. Salvatore Carzedda, PIME. And as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Harmony Chain Initiative, let us be united and use the Harmony Prayer as an "arm of prayer" to promote dialogue and peace.

About Fr. Carzedda

Salvatore Carzedda, PIME, MDiv ’77
Martyr
After his graduation from CTU in 1977, Salvatore was assigned to the Philippines. Amongst his fellow religious, Salvatore was playfully called “Mouth of Gold” because his voice was clear and strong. He worked with the Silsilah Movement, an NGO dedicated to building interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Zamboanga City, a commitment that involved risk because of the acute tensions in the region. Salvatore paid for his commitment with his life. He was shot on his way home from a meeting — one of several CTU graduates to earn the title of a genuine martyr for the Gospel.

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Why Harmony Prayer for Peace?

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Why Harmony Prayer for Peace?

We believe in peace through a spiritual approach. Peace starts from God because peace is a gift from God. The work for peace is a work entrusted by God to all humankind, whatever race, culture, religion, level of education. Solidarity and development are also essential to build peace. We want to start from the spiritual values of each people and religion for a more sustainable peace.

Where there is lack of faith in God, an absence of a spiritual dimension, there is also lack of comprehension and harmony. Tension, division, violence, conflict in the families, in the community, among friends, among societies and nations will surely follow.

Prayer for peace is good, but not enough! “The goal of peace on earth will come not without some personal pain. But the effort to make peace in our homes, in our personal relationships and at work, puts flesh and bones on prayers for peace”.

Multi-Religious Leaders reciting the Harmony Prayer together with the 2013 Zamboanga siege victims.

To pray for peace is demanding and at the same time transforming our lives. If we are unwilling to work to help peace break out in our homes and in our lives, then why should we surprised that our prayers for peace seem to go unheard by God?

The Harmony Prayer is an answer or a prevention to a conflict. Reconciliation is necessary after a conflict to build peace. To live in dialogue and harmony with God, self, the others and creation is the way to avoid conflicts! Therefore, let us not wait for war to think about peace! Accumulating offences, hurts, unforgiveness will only escalate conflicts and accompanying terrible damages. Accumulating seeds of understanding, patience, attention to the needs of the others, sharing, solidarity, etc…will preserve in families, working places and communities. Let us work for peace through dialogue if we don’t want war!

HC is not only in the context of Christian-Muslim dialogue. HC is not only in the context of Christian-Muslim dialogue; it is also in the context of every intercultural and inter-religious dialogue. We need dialogue in the life of couples, among families, among communities (whether civil or religious), among groups and movements, in a pluralistic society with many nationalities living together in our global village.

Dialogue for better understanding is a present necessity of our world. Peace of heart above all, peace in the family to avoid conflicts.

Harmony Chain Initiative from Mindanao to the World

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 is a special interfaith initiative of meditation and prayer for dialogue and peace from Mindanao to the world. It is a spiritual chain of peoples of different cultures and religions responding to God’s dialogue with humanity to sustain our cry for peace. When the Philippine Government through then President Joseph Estrada declared “total war” in Mindanao in the year 2000 as a solution to the Moro problem, the Movement’s quiet response was expressed in the slogan “Cry Peace with Your Life-in-Dialogue.The Harmony Prayer Initiative is: AN INTER-FAITH INITIATIVE OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE. A SPIRITUAL CHAIN OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND RELIGIONS. A RESPONSE TO GOD’S DIALOGUE WITH HUMANITY TO SUSTAIN OUR CRY FOR PEACE.

Individuals, groups, and communities from different religions within and outside the country can become part of this “chain” by committing to specific time of the day to meditate or pray for peace. The goal is that every moment of the 24 hours of the day, some persons, groups or communities all over the world are united in prayer for peace. The much needed impetus came when a director and a coordinator volunteered to give full time on this activity. At present, the membership has grown from local to international level and regular communication and links are maintained through its monthly newsletter “IN-TOUCH” and “ Legame di Pace” (in Italian). [Read more…] about Harmony Chain Initiative from Mindanao to the World

Fighting the Fighters with Prayer

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In the year 2000 when President Estrada declared “Total war in Mindanao”  the Silsilah Dialogue Movement  ”declared” another way  to achieve peace and  in our little  way we proposed,  among the other activities of formation for Dialogue and Peace, the  ”Harmony Chain Initiative”   which is  an inter faith invitation for dialogue and  peace. A powerful way of peace. Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and others are invited to be part of this “Chain of Prayer”. The initiative is in line with the spirit of Silsilah to promote dialogue and peace starting from a spiritual approach of life-in-dialogue as a foundation for any sustainable peace. 

Today we are still “Crying for Peace” in Mindanao and in the World and we  continue the mission of prayer proposing, among the other suggestions,  to  use the “HARMONY PRAYER” as part of the initiative of the Harmony  Chain Initiative.   We dream that in the world the twenty-four hour time will be covered by a chain of prayer for peace and we hope that the Harmony Prayer will become part of the many efforts of prayer around the world. 

Today the Harmony Chain Initiative and the Harmony Prayer is already spread in many countries.  We have links with those who promised to join us on this initiative from many countries. In the Philippines we have many   who are linked to this initiative and pray the   Harmony Prayer, thanks to many institutions, and schools, Muslims and Christian leaders and government and non-government organizations. 

The Harmony prayer is a UNIVERSAL PRAYER.  In this Oasis news we wish to highlight the full support of OPAPP sharing the answer of Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles to the letter of Fr. D’Ambra Sebastiano, the founder of Silsilah. In her letter she emphasized:….. “I would also like to thank you as well for your solidarity in celebrating the National Peace Consciousness Month for the month of September.

 Please know that OPAPP still continues to use the Harmony Prayer that the Silsilah Dialogue Movement crafted, such as during our Flag Ceremony and other OPAPP-led events.  It is likewise posted in our website and is also included in some of our publications and collaterals.  OPAPP likewise distributed copies of the prayer to all national government agencies, and are reminded annually to use it in solidarity with peace during the month of September. Rest assured that we will continue to use and promote the Harmony Prayer in all of our future endeavors.”  

We are grateful for this renewed support and we are more challenged to continue to promote the “fighting with prayer”. 

 Indeed, this is the time to   find appropriate solutions for peace in the world and specifically in Mindanao. The alarming news about the ISIS fighters and other “fighters”, even in the Philippines, for sure, alarms us, but we do not have to lose hope. We have to believe that most of the Muslims and Christians, especially in Mindanao, are for peace and all of us have to enter in the spirit of living together in peace.  If we can give this example it will have a great impact, not only for us in Mindanao, but also for the world.  From many countries people and leaders of the world are following the peace process in Mindanao and the new effort of the Bangsamoro. We support this peace effort that still requires a lot of wisdom from those who have the respectability to decide for the future peace in Mindanao and a lot of courage to believe that it is possible to promote the future peace together.  Saying this, we know that there is still fear in many, for different reasons. We hope that, meanwhile, all possible obstacles will be properly overcome. We   reaffirm our effort to promote the Harmony Prayer and we hope that many will internalize the message of this prayer and have the courage and the trust in the power of   prayer.

Message of the 1st National Assembly of Harmony Chain Initiative (HCI)

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Signed by the participants of the 1st National Assembly of the Harmony Chain Initiative November 9, 2014.

We, the link persons, and the members of the HCI gathered in Harmony Village on the occasion of the 1st National Assembly of Silsilah Dialogue Movement reaffirm our committment to the HCI convinced that promoting prayer for peace is a sign of hope to sustain our committment for dialogue and peace.

We reaffirm our commitment to reach out to all the members and link persons of HCI around the world. We are aware that it is difficult for us to follow the thousands of members of this initiative spread out in the Philippines and many other countries. The 1st National Assembly reaffirmed the importance to have a better coordination with the link persons who, voluntarily, share their time to be key persons of this initiative in schools, parishes, mosques, groups, etc. Among the many ways to remain in contact we have opened the website www.harmonylink.info and the facebook harmonychain@gmail.com.

We have shared together some beautiful stories of this initiative and we have also reaffirmed our commitment to reach out to those who are interested to be part of this chain/link of dialogue and peace.

The HCI is also an occasion to promote the Harmony Prayer and the Harmony Song as a universal prayer/song that each one can use, in addition to its own form of prayer for peace, according to one’s own religion.

This special prayer and song is already adopted by many schools and groups and it is an inspiring message to reaffirm our commitment of peace through a process of purification, following God’s style of love, deepening our dialogue with God, the self, others, and creation.

We ask in our prayer: “The courage to be in Dialogue in the midst of divisions and conflicts and to build peace with all people of sincere hearts who believe in God’s love and compasion”.

Pinoys urged to recite harmony prayer for Mindanao peace

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Filipinos, regardless of their religion, are being encouraged to recite a “Harmony Prayer” for peace in Mindanao – and for the world.
 
The Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM) said this is part of a “a chain of prayer” for peace in Mindanao and around the world.
 
“We dream that in the world the 24-hour time will be covered by a chain of prayer for peace and we hope that the Harmony Prayer will become part of the many efforts of prayer around the world,” SDM founder Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site.
 
D’Ambra stressed the need to pray even harder for peace, for the ongoing peace process in Mindanao and for existing inter-religious conflict in other countries.
 
He added that in Mindanao, “we have to believe that most of the Muslims and Christians, especially in Mindanao, are for peace and all of us have to enter in the spirit of living together in peace.”
 
The Harmony Prayer is as follows:
Published on Nov. 2, 2014 on GMA News online

CBCP urges Filipinos to pray for peace

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MANILA, Sept. 6, 2012— As the country observes Peace Month, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on Filipinos to utilize this month in praying for peace.

After its regular meeting last Sept. 4, the CBCP permanent council has agreed to dedicate one Sunday of this month in reciting a special prayer in all churches.

CBCP secretary general Msgr. Joselito Asis said all parish churches are requested to include the recitation of the “Harmony Prayer” during Sunday Masses.

The bishops’ move was in reply to the request of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) for the religious sector to participate in the celebration.

“We encourage our friends from the religious sector to participate in the celebration of Peace Month 2012 to use the Harmony Prayer in one of your Sunday Masses in September, if possible,” OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles said in a letter to Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president.

September was first declared as the Peace Month on July 10, 2004 through Proclamation No. 675.

Now on its 9th year, Deles said the annual festivity enjoins all government agencies and instrumentalities to initiate and participate in activities to instill greater public consciousness and understanding of the meaning of the culture of peace as well as the comprehensive peace process.

This year’s theme “Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan”, according to her, sends the message that each Filipino has a stake in peace.

“…Regardless of the differences in geographic area, culture and religion, and in our diversity, we stand united in bringing peace to the country,” she added. [CBCPNews]

DepEd chief urges teachers, students to be peace-conscious

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DepEd chief urges teachers, students to be peace-conscious

By:  – Reporter / @jiandradeINQ

 / 09:36 AM September 12, 2014

Armin-Luistro

Education Secretary Armin Luistro. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Education Secretary Armin Luistro has urged all teachers, students and agency employees to recite the “Harmony Prayer” and “Pledge of Peace” in flag-raising rites for the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month this September.

Luistro said the “Harmony Prayer” is a universal prayer for peace while the “Pledge of Peace” vows to pursue a culture of non-violence and contribute to the country’s progress through his individual efforts.

In his Sept. 5 memorandum, Luistro also encouraged Department of Education (DepEd) officials, employees as well as all public and private primary and secondary schools nationwide to hold activities highlighting this year’s theme, “Nagkakaisang Bayan para sa Kapayapaan (One nation for Peace),” and the purpose of the commemoration.

“The celebration aims to instill consciousness and understanding among the Filipino people on the comprehensive peace process, as well as the government’s peace constituency building initiatives, by participating in relevant and meaningful activities during the peace month.”

September was declared National Peace Consciousness Month by Presidential Proclamation 675 signed on July 20, 2004.

To show the department’s support for the celebration, Luistro encouraged the display of “2014 National Peace Consciousness Month” streamers with this year’s theme on all DepEd offices as well as in both public and private school buildings.

Luistro also asked public and private schools nationwide to hold month-long activities, which will include the theme and message of peace.