Prayer Service

There was a feeling of equality, oneness, humility, and togetherness in the gathering of the Diplomatic Community and personnel, religious and ecumenical leaders, and members of the civil society, as they offered prayers to God on the occasion of the opening of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, held at the Church of the Holy Family, the United Nations Parish on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.

The Archdiocese of New York and the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See sponsored this traditional service to offer prayers of gratitude for all that the 70th. Session of the UN General Assembly achieved, and for the success of the 71st. Session of the General Assembly. It was an occasion to entrust to God our efforts for world peace and the development and advancement of the human family. In the six main languages of the United Nations, prayers seeking God’s blessings were offered especially for a solution to the ongoing migration crisis affecting so many parts of the world.

H.E. Secretary General

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the UN and H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the 71st. Session of the GA, shared their pure feelings and good wishes for a peaceful world by 2030.

It touched me very deeply to see people with such big responsibilities for world change, humbly seeking God’s blessings, power, and wisdom to fulfill their role!

My hope for them: may they always remember it is God’s power of love that can heal and change the world. We are the instruments who use that power to accomplish the task!