Day of Prayer for Peace

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Jan. 28, 2026, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, called for a Holy Hour for Peace as a moment of renewal for our hearts and for our nation. In his invitation, Archbishop Coakley reminded the faithful that “our faith matters, our prayers matter, and our acts of love and works of justice matter,” emphasizing prayer as a vital step toward healing.

In light of this invitation, Archbishop Jose Gomez has designated Feb. 4th, 2026, as a Day of Prayer for Peace here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

We invite all parishes throughout the archdiocese to offer a Holy Hour on this day.

For the celebration of the Eucharist (mass), priests are asked to pray the presidential prayers (Collect, Prayer over the Offerings, and Prayer after Communion) from Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions 30. For the Preservation of Peace and Justice found in the Roman Missal. Priests may also considered praying Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II or Eucharistic Prayer for Use in Masses for Various Needs IV: Jesus, Who Went about Doing Good.

We invite all our Catholic schools to participate in the Holy Hour for Peace, in Mass, or to observe a prayer service for peace.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will host a Holy Hour for Peace following the 12:10 PM mass on Wednesday, Feb. 4th. All are welcome to attend.

For those who are not able to attend Holy Hour or Mass on this day, we invite to pray the rosary, read scripture, and any other Catholic prayer asking for peace.

In a world wounded by division, violence, and uncertainty, we come before the Lord—Prince of Peace—to entrust Him our hearts, our communities, and our nation longing for reconciliation. We ask Christ to grant peace to our nation, comfort to those who suffer, and wisdom to all who lead.

In Christ,

Archbishop José Gomez

Resources:

• Holy Hour for Peace | USCCB
• Hora santa por la paz | USCCB
  
  

Intercessions for the Universal Prayer:

For Christians and all people of good will, may they never lose hope in the possibility of peace, we pray to the Lord.
For government leaders, may they hear and respond to their peoples’ plea for peace and justice, we pray to the Lord.
For the young everywhere: may they grow in courage to seek the peace God offers the world, we pray to the Lord.

Pulpit Announcement (to be used on Saturday Jan. 31 and Sunday Feb. 1st)

Archbishop José Gomez has designated Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as a Day of Prayer for Peace in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Our parish will host a Holy Hour for Peace at__________ All are invited to come together to ask Christ to grant peace to our nation, comfort to those who suffer, and wisdom to all who lead.   You are also invited to attend our weekday mass in which we will also be praying for peace at ____________.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will host a Holy Hour for Peace following the 12:10 p.m. Mass on Wednesday, February 4. All are welcome to attend.
Those who are unable to participate in Mass or a Holy Hour that day are encouraged to pray the Rosary, read Sacred Scripture, or offer any Catholic prayer asking for peace.