Pax Christi Texas Elevator Speech
In 1945,
following World War II, German Catholics and French Catholics reflected
at the horror of killing one another, and said that it had to stop. Bishop
Pierre Marie Theas was consulted, and Pax Christi was created. Now the international organization has grown
to 120 organizations in 60 nations and has representation at the United
Nations. In the United States, Pax Christi USA was created in 1970. The
message: Pray Study and Act has reflected the direction for Peace.
Jesus Christ
told his disciples to greet one another with “Peace Be to You”, emphasizing My
Peace I give to you. He commanded Peter to put down the sword and directed
his followers to “love your enemies.” Many of his followers have given their
lives for His message of peace.
Dorothy
Day, a member of Pax
Christi, a writer, an organizer, read Matt. 25, and responded to meeting Jesus in
the poor. She created Catholic Worker Houses who serve “the
least” and are located throughout the country, including San Antonio, Houston and El Paso.
Dorothy was the founding editor of the “Catholic Worker” newspaper. Pope
Francis spoke of Dorothy Day during his visit to the United States and many
Catholics have supported her canonization.
Frans
Jaggerstatter, an
Austrian farmer, was a conscientious objector, who refused to serve Nazi
Germany. He was executed for his refusal. He is venerated as a martyr and has
been beatified as a martyr by the Catholic Church.
John Dear, Catholic priest, has protested against war, and was incarcerated 78 times. Fr. John wrote: “The Gospel of Peace” where he states that every time we pray, we forgive, and ask for forgiveness.
Pax Christi
is a nonviolent advocate of the Peace of Christ. The Vow of
Nonviolence of Pax Christi, written by Fr. John Dear and Eileen Egan in
1985, addresses a commitment to peace for all to take. https://paxchristiusa.org/resources/vow-of-nonviolence/
Integral is a word used by Popes Francis and Leo, to mean that all parts of this earth are connected in relationship. “When one suffers all suffer.”
A primary
concern of Pax Christi is the threat of nuclear weapons which would destroy all
life. Archbishop John Wester’s Pastoral Letter on the Nuclear Threat, a very
strong social justice statement, was published by Pax Christi USA: https://archdiosf.org/living-in-the-light-of-christs-peace
On a quarterly basis, the Pax Christi Texas Social Justice Forum provides teachers of social justice who summarize concerns such as Nuclear Threat, Racism, Genocide, Immigration, Domestic Abuse. This program is exclusively by zoom and is followed by an open discussion. On November 17, 2025, we addressed “The Response of Faith Communities to Mass Deportation.” By Dylan Corbett, who is the director of Hope Border Institute in El Paso Texas.
On the local level in San Antonio, together with Laudato Si, the Alamo Sierra Club and Pax Christi addressed Peace and the Environment through bimonthly socials open to all. South Texas Nature and Spirituality provides a network and builds community through presentations to include a display of materials and resources for use in parishes and community groups.
On May 2, 2026 10 am cst to noon cst Nature and Spirituality will address
The Spirituality of Mennonites as Related to Care for the Earth and
The Effects of Climate Change on our Physical and Mental Health.
Oblate School of Theology, The Shaunessy Library, 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio.
NEEDS: webpage design assistance, and graphics assistance.
For
additional information contact:
Arthur Dawes
Pax Christi
USA General Council
Pax Christi
Texas, coordinator
210-213-5919
