We are writing to invite you to join us in a new initiative for peace and hope during this time of extreme violence and suffering in the world. In the spirit of Easter hope, we have initiated a global "Pause for Peace" to reflect and recommit ourselves each day to peacemaking and hope. This "Pause for Peace" initiative is being launched in the belief that prayer energy for good can overcome the forces of war and oppression in our world.

This is how the global Pause for Peace works: each person, wherever on our earth, is invited to pause and reflect for a very brief moment at 12 noon of each day, to renew her or his commitment to peace and hope by saying the following mantra (one or more times), in silence or out loud, alone or with others:

I renew my commitment to peacemaking in the spirit of hope.

In extending this invitation to you and to our sisters and brothers throughout the world, we hope that you will serve as catalysts in getting this Pause for Peace spread to other peacemakers. Please disseminate this invitation as widely as possible through your own networks, so it reaches our schools (students, faculties, parents and alumni), our co-workers and colleagues, our families, friends, and neighbors, and beyond. Just imagine what energy this daily pledge could unleash if we rededicate ourselves by the thousands around the world, in different countries, cultures and languages, in different time zones, every single day anew.

In order to "do" something with the pledges and commitments made, remember May 30, Pentecost Sunday.

Thank you for participating in this peace initiative.