YANGON (LiCAS News): More than 3,000 people, including three bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople, gathered in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Nyaunglebin region in Bago for an interfaith prayer for peace on, February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus, demonstrating a shared hope for reconciliation in a country deeply scarred by conflict, joined the gathering.
In his homily, Charles Cardinal Bo of Yangon emphasised the role of the Virgin Mary as a beacon of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness in times of turmoil.
Drawing parallels between Mary’s journey and the struggles of internally displaced people, the cardinal urged those gathered to seek peace amid adversity. The cardinal reflected on how she accepted God’s will with trust despite uncertainty.
The cardinal likened her resilience to that of mothers in Myanmar’s displacement camps, carrying their children through dangerous and uncertain conditions.
“In every pregnant mother in these camps, we see the face of an anxious Mary journeying to Bethlehem,” Cardinal Bo said. “Their courage reminds us that peace is not the absence of adversity but the presence of God within it.”
He also highlighted the universal message of reconciliation embodied in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, calling for unity across political, cultural, and religious divides.
In every pregnant mother in these camps, we see the face of an anxious Mary journeying to Bethlehem. Their courage reminds us that peace is not the absence of adversity but the presence of God within it
Cardinal Bo
Citing the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt as refugees, he urged compassion for displaced families and emphasised the need to build bridges rather than walls.
Cardinal Bo spoke about Mary’s role in forgiveness, recalling her presence at the foot of the Cross. He compared her silent suffering to the grief of mothers who have lost children to violence.
“Like Mary, these mothers find the strength to carry on, to forgive, and to become advocates for peace and reconciliation,” he said.
The cardinal also pointed to the annual gathering of military veterans in Lourdes—former enemies who now stand together in peace—as a model for Myanmar. He called for similar reconciliation among those involved in the country’s ongoing conflicts.
Cardinal Bo concluded with a challenge to all present to become active agents of peace. He urged the faithful to cultivate inner peace, seek reconciliation, and practice forgiveness in their daily lives.
The cardinal encouraged concrete steps such as supporting displaced families, engaging in interfaith dialogue, and advocating for peace and justice.
“As we celebrate this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us renew our commitment to building a world where all people can live in peace and dignity,” he said. “May Mary, the Mother of God, help us give birth to global peace and harmony, especially in Myanmar.”
