Pax Christi Minnesota

A Prayer Campaign to End the War in Iraq

Franz Jägerstätter: Family Man & Martyr

Because he would not be part of Hitler’s unjust war, he is now Blessed Franz Jägerstätter.

In his cause for sainthood, let the American Church
pray for his intercession for this miracle–that the
war in Iraq will end, with all U.S. troops being
brought home, and hostilities to cease, by the end of
2009. Blessed Franz knows the cost of unjust war, as
do many other holy ones killed by Germany and all
sides in World War II. He is close to God in his
rejection of violence and war as a solution to our
conflicts. Scripture tells us sincere prayer will
always be answered, even if not in the way most
directly expected. Franz is perfectly placed in
eternity to be our intercessor helping end this unjust
war, which harms the American and Iraqi people so
grievously in body and soul.

We as a people must begin praying for the grace to
renounce war as our primary national expenditure, and
method of doing business deals and securing natural
resources. The way of thinking that made us invade
Iraq, puts us in need of personal and national
healing. Respect for life is in jeopardy. The lives of
the innocent unborn, are inextricably linked to
innocent lives lost in war zones.

We will not defeat terrorists by using terrorist
tools. The terrible swift sword of a more powerful war
on terrorism is not the answer. Followers of Christ
are to put away the sword, and follow the call to be
peacemakers.

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, pray for us. May God grant
us and our country the grace to end the war in Iraq,
be out by December 2009, and begin turning from the
business of war to the business of peace, beating
swords into plowshares. Amen.

Holy Martyr Franz Jägerstätter