Dear friends,
This Monday we celebrate Veteran’s Day, originally known as Armistice Day celebrating the end of World War I, the war to end all wars. The first Great War ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; hence we celebrate on this day. Yet as we all know, it was not too long and another Great War broke out which would cause even more devastation than the first. From that time on we remember this day as Veteran’s Day, remembering all those who have served our country in war, especially those who gave their life. In World War II, 16.5 million Americans took part and 407,000 of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle. It is staggering to think of the devastation caused by such great violence. For this reason we must remember so that it does not happen again.
During WWI, Benedict XV was the Pope. He agonized over the great violence that was afflicting Europe. He did all he could diplomatically to end the war, and also did all he could to help those who were suffering most from the violence through humanitarian efforts giving relief to those who were refugees. He wrote an encyclical on peace titled Pacem, Dei Munus Pulcherrimum on Peace and Christian Reconciliation (23 May 1920). Benedict XV was deeply affected by the violence that he experienced.
One of my favorite statues is the one pictured above. It is in the great Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, the oldest church dedicated to the Blessed Mother in the West. As one walks into the Basilica the statue is located in the back onto the left of the nave as one faces the altar. I remember encountering it for the first time. I was struck by the beauty and the sorrow in Our Lady’s face. The Christ child, the Prince of Peace, is standing on her lap and has a rather playful countenance. He holds in his hand the olive branch, the sign of peace. As I took in the statue I was most struck by Our Lady’s posture. With her serious gaze she is holding out her hand saying “Stop!” “Basta!” Without saying a word this statue Our Lady the Queen of Peace is a powerful response to the violence of WWI commissioned by Benedict XV.
The Blessed Mother was at the foot of the cross and witnessed the violence of the crucifixion. She continues to see her Son crucified in the violence which plagues our world and the suffering it causes. Let us pray with her and with Pope Benedict XV for an end to war and violence and for those who have died as a result of it. We know that those who go to war are not the same when they return for having experienced the violence, let us pray also for them, that they may experience the peace and reconciliation that comes from God alone.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Fr. Jack D. Shrum