Day of Prayer for Peace 7th October 2025

The Bishops of Scotland invite all Catholics to keep Tuesday 7th October as a day of prayer for peace.

It is of course two years since the terrible massacre in Israel and now the continuing atrocities in Gaza.

We invite our brother priests to open their churches on that day for as long as possible so that everyone has the possibility to visit their parish, especially the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for a moment of prayer and to light a candle.

Our world today is troubled by so many wars and conflicts; it is appropriate that we as Catholics pray individually and together on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary for the Holy Land, Gaza and Israel. Pope Leo has also asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary during the month of October for peace in our world.

Could I suggest the following prayer for your intentions on the 7th October:

God of peace and justice,

We pray for the people of the Holy Land:

Israeli and Palestinian, Jew, Christian and Muslim.

We pray for an end to acts of violence and terror.

We lift to you all who are fearful and hurting.

We ask for wisdom and compassion for those in leadership.

Above all, we ask that Jesus the Prince of Peace,

Establish lasting reconciliation and justice for the Holy Land and all nations. Amen.

With thoughts and prayers in Christ, the Prince of Peace

+John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley

President, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland