By Fr. Conrad Targonski

On Oct. 27, 1986, Pope John Paul II succeeded for the first time in history in bringing together 160 religious leaders from all over the world—Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians, as well as representatives of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, African and North American animists, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism and Baha’I—to Assisi “in the sacred place dedicated to St Francis, to witness to the world, each according to their own conviction, about the transcendent quality of peace.” The most intense moment of that day occurred in the afternoon in front of the Basilica of St. Francis when peace was invoked through the prayers and gestures by those present at the same time; this lasted three hours and was broadcast throughout the world.

The Spirit of Assisi can be summarized in three points: the inestimable value of peace and the responsibility of the world’s religions towards achieving it; the awareness of the importance of prayer in obtaining the gift of peace; the necessity of getting to know and to respect other human beings, irrespective of their faiths.

We are asked to renew the Spirit of Assisi each year, especially on this day, in whatever way we feel inspired.