Our Lady of Peace of Libya

Libya

In a country devastated by civil war and political fragmentation, devotion to Our Lady of Peace has become the silent cry of Libyan Christians and all those, Muslims and Christians, who yearn for the reconciliation of a torn nation.

The context: Libya at war

Since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has lived in a state of almost permanent conflict: two civil wars (2011-2014 and 2019-2020), the emergence of rival militias, the presence of the Islamic State, and the division of the country between rival governments. In this context of violence, Marian invocations for peace take on a special significance.

Mary, Queen of Peace

The advocation of Mary as Queen of Peace o Our Lady of Peace has ancient roots in Catholic tradition. In Libya, this devotion was reactivated as a spiritual response to the war:

• The priests who remained in Tripoli and Benghazi celebrated masses for peace under this invocation.
• Filipino workers, the country's largest Catholic population, organized community prayers to Our Lady of Peace.
• The Episcopal Conference of North Africa promoted prayer for peace in Libya.

The sacrifice of the 21 martyrs

On February 15, 2015, the whole world shocked the video of the execution of 21 Coptic Christians on a beach in Sirte, Libya. The men, migrant workers of Upper Egypt, were abducted by their faith. His last words were "Lord Jesus." The Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II proclaimed them martyrs, and his death became a symbol of Christian persecution in Libya.

Prayers for peace in Libya

The Catholic Church has promoted various initiatives of prayer for peace in Libya:

• The Pope Francisco He has repeatedly mentioned Libya in his prayer intentions.
• The Community Marked (France) organized prayer vigil for Libya.
• Philippine churches in Tripoli maintain devotion to the Queen of Peace.

The Virgin as an interreligious bridge

In Libya, as in other countries in North Africa, the figure of Maryam It is venerated by both Christians and Muslims. Mary's invocation for peace has an interreligious character: Libyan Muslims who visit the abandoned Marian shrines also cry out for the peace of the country.

Prayer to Our Lady of Peace for Libya

Oh, Mary, Queen of Peace, who in Bethlehem you gave birth to the Prince of Peace, look with mercy at the land of Libya, torn by war and violence. May your intercession stop the bloodshed and bring reconciliation to a suffering people. May the martyrs of Sirte intercede before your Son for peace. May the Christians and Muslims of Libya find in you, Mary, the path of coexistence and fraternity. Amen.