This Lent, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) is again organizing Masses in European Churches to implore peace and to remember war victims as part of its ‘Eucharistic Chain’ initiative.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
This Lent, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) is once again promoting its “Eucharistic Chain,” a continent-wide initiative where European Churches pray for victims of war and for peace.
In a statement, the CCEE explained that the Church in Europe wishes to gather around the Eucharistic table to invoke peace from the Lord.
The initiative has become a regular Lenten appointment for Europe’s Bishops’ Conferences, with the “Chain” meant to be an experience of communion and hope.
From Ash Wednesday through the end of Lent, each national Bishops’ Conference belonging to the CCEE will organize at least one Mass dedicated to praying for those affected by war, namely for what the Bishops describe as an “unarmed and disarming peace.”
Special prayers will be offered for Ukraine, the Holy Land, and all regions suffering from violence and conflict.
Finally, the Bishops recalled Pope Leo XIV’s words in his Message for the 59th World Day of Peace.
“Let us open ourselves to peace!” the Holy Father said, noting, “Let us welcome it and recognize it, rather than believing it to be impossible and beyond our reach. Peace is more than just a goal; it is a presence and a journey.”
Tomorrow, on Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo will begin Lent with an afternoon Mass in the Basilica of Saint Sabina on Rome’s Aventine Hill.
The celebration will be preceded by the traditional Statio and penitential procession beginning at the nearby church of Saint Anselmo.
Pope Leo will also join the Roman Curia for the annual Lenten Spiritual Exercises, 22-27 February, which will take place in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
