On October 17, faithful gathered at Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal for the annual Mass for Peace organized by the Assembly of Middle Eastern Christians. Presided over by Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal, the celebration was a moment of prayer, solidarity, and hope for those affected by war and violence.

Held in the Basilica of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the celebration brought together a representative of the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, as well as bishops from the Melkite and Coptic Orthodox Churches. In a spirit of unity and fraternity, participants gathered to entrust to God the suffering of people in the Middle East and to pray for peace throughout the world.

“We Share the Same Humanity”

In his homily, Archbishop Christian Lépine reflected on what unites all people, beyond their origins, cultures, and the hardships they face: “We share the same humanity.”

In the face of suffering, violence, and uncertainty, the Archbishop invited the faithful to turn their hearts toward Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.

“Whatever your suffering, remember Jesus Christ, crucified and risen,” he emphasized, reminding those gathered that Christian faith does not mean denying pain, but rather facing it with trust in God.

He recalled Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ expressed his anguish to the Father while surrendering himself to His will. Even in the midst of suffering, Jesus never ceased to pray, to love, and to forgive.

Love Is Stronger Than Violence

At the heart of his message, Archbishop Lépine emphasized that violence and death, despite their destructive power, do not have the final word.

“Violence has power, death has power, but love is stronger, and life is stronger.”

He reminded the faithful that the violence and suffering Jesus endured on the Cross never prevented Him from loving. Through His Resurrection, Christ reveals the victory of love and life over hatred and death.

This strength, the Archbishop explained, is offered to each of us through prayer. By opening our hearts to Christ, we can find the strength to forgive, to continue loving, and to hold on to hope, even in the most difficult circumstances.

A Peace That Endures Through Life’s Storms

Archbishop Lépine also reminded those gathered that the peace offered by Jesus Christ does not depend solely on external circumstances.

“Nothing can prevent Jesus Christ from giving us His peace,” he affirmed.

Even in the midst of life’s greatest storms, this peace remains accessible to those who turn to Him with trust. Prayer thus becomes a place of encounter with Christ, a source of inner strength, and a path toward forgiveness and reconciliation.

At a time when so many families and communities continue to experience the consequences of conflict in the Middle East, these words carried particular significance.

United in Prayer for Peace

This annual Mass served as a reminder of the importance of remaining united in prayer and in solidarity with those who suffer, particularly in the Middle East.

Gathered around Christ, the faithful expressed their conviction that prayer remains a source of hope, even when situations seem hopeless.

As Archbishop Lépine emphasized in his homily, it is through faith in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, that believers can find the strength to continue loving, forgiving, and working for peace.

The celebration was an invitation to never lose hope and to believe that, even in the midst of violence, love and life have the final word.