Myanmar Cardinal insisted that Mary asked us to be the peacemakers at the 123^rd Feast of the National Marian Shrine, Our Lady of Lourdes, in Nyaunglebin, Myanmar, on February 9.

His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo said, “As we celebrate this feast, Mary asks us to be the peacemakers. Be the bearers of the light of reconciliation.”  

Cardinal Bo of Yangon Archdiocese emphasized that we turned our eyes to Mary, the Mother of Peace, in a world often shrouded in turmoil and conflict.

Reflecting on Mary’s acceptance of the Archangel Gabriel’s message, the cardinal said, “Her unwavering acceptance invites us to cultivate inner peace and to become ambassadors of peace in our troubled world.”

Myanmar Cardinal called us to consider the countless mothers in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps—women displaced from their homes, and burdened with their children amidst uncertain and often dangerous conditions.

The cardinal continued, “In every pregnant mother in these camps, we see the face of an anxious Mary journeying to Bethlehem, seeking a safe place to bring her child into the world. … Their resilience and courage mirror Mary’s serenity amidst the chaos, reminding us that peace is not the absence of adversity but the presence of God within it.”

Cardinal Bo found the “Magnificat” powerful in bridging divides and uniting people in faith and love.

“In a world fractured by divisions—be the political, cultural, or religious—Mary calls us to be bridge-builders,” Cardinal Bo insisted.

The cardinal said that the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt mirrors today’s refugee crisis “as we witness families displaced by conflict and persecution.”

He added that Mary’s example called for reconciliation, compassion, and unity.

Reflecting on Mary’s presence at the crucifixion of Jesus, Cardinal Bo highlighted, “Mary’s capacity to forgive in the face of unimaginable suffering teaches us that forgiveness is a divine act of love that liberates both the giver and the receiver.”

He continued that every mother who had lost a child to violence or injustice shared in Mary’s grief as depicted in Michael Angelo’s Pietà. Yet, like Mary, those mothers found the strength to carry on, to forgive, and to become advocates for peace and reconciliation. Their journeys were powerful testimonies to the unyielding strength of a mother’s love and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Post-WWII, with the spirit of forgiveness, French, and German soldiers’ Lourdes meetings started a reconciliation tradition. Our Lady’s love brought former enemies together at Lourdes in France and they came for the annual pilgrimage of militaries from 35 nations to celebrate peace. Mary’s love healed deep wounds.

Cardinal Bo invited, “Drawing inspiration from this profound example, let us pray that the parties in conflict in Myanmar may come together at the Marian shrine in Nyaunglebin. May this sacred place become a haven of peace and reconciliation, where enemies embrace as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

“Let us envision a Myanmar where the divisions of war give way to the unity of peace, where all people can live in harmony, and where Mary, the Mother of Reconciliation, guides our steps towards lasting peace,” he added.

The cardinal urged us to cultivate inner peace through prayer reflection and trust in God’s plan, to be Agents of Reconciliation by engaging in dialogue, listening with empathy, and building bridges of understanding, and to practice forgiveness.

He encouraged all to support the Displaced Families, engage in Interfaith Efforts, and advocate for Peace and Justice.

Cardinal Bo interceded Our Lady of Lourdes that may we become beacons of hope, channels of God’s peace, and messengers of His infinite mercy.

The cardinal urged, “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. May Mary, the mother of God, help us give birth to global peace and harmony, especially in Myanmar.”