O Saint Benedict Abbot!

Thou who hast not taught 

otherwise than as thou hast lived, 

make us all feel 

the perennial relevance of thy teaching, 

that it may continue to inspire good 

for contemporary mankind.

O Saint Scholastica, 

to you we entrust our girls, our young women, 

our Religious, our Mothers, 

that they may know how to live 

their dignity as women today, 

according to God's plan.

Amen.

(John Paul II)

God of our Fathers, great and merciful, 

you have plans for peace 

and not for affliction, 

you condemn wars 

and abate the pride of the violent.

Thou hast sent thy Son Jesus 

to proclaim peace to near and far, 

to gather men 

of every race and kindred 

into one family.

Hear the unanimous cry of your sons, 

the heartfelt plea of all humanity: 

never again war, 

adventure without return, 

never again war, 

spiral of mourning and violence!

Speak to the hearts 

of those responsible for the fate of peoples, 

stop the logic of retaliation 

and revenge, 

grant our time 

days of peace!

Amen.

(John Paul II)