Guantanamo Vigils
Guantanamo vigils continue outside the main branch of the New York (City) Public Library on Fifth Avenue at 41stStreet the first Wednesday of each month at 4 PM EST and 5 PM EDT. As we are drawn to other critical issues, we must not forget the men still being held at the Guantanamo Detention Center despite either not being tried or not being found guilty of any crime and being designated eligible for release. These men have been tortured. Their lives have been stolen from them for over 20 years. Promises of closing the Detention Center since President Barak Obama have never been kept. And now the Center is being used to detain undocumented migrants, as well. Stand with us to shut this torture camp down!
Ceasefire Vigils
Ceasefires in Gaza are but a hope and a promise while the violence continues; hence, ceasefire vigils continue across the state in multiple locations. You can find out what’s happening near you from groups like Jewish Voice for Peace or, if you’re in or near New York City, join a regular vigil outside the U.S. Mission to the United Nations on First Avenue at 45th Street in New York City every Thursday from noon to 1:30 PM.
Ash Wednesday
We will be leafletting a Lenten Reflection outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan from noon until about 1 PM on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, barring a winter storm. Help leaflet, or simply pass by for a leaflet as you go for ashes.
Global Days of Action to Close Military Bases
“Closing bases is a necessary step to shift the global security paradigm towards a demilitarized approach that centers common security” (World Beyond War).
Come to a public witness at the Times Square Recruiting Center on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 at 1:00 PM. Bring signs and banners that call for:The Closure of Military Bases, An End to Military Recruitment to Fill Those Bases,and Peace.Let’s beat our swords into plowsharesand our spears into pruning hooks.Let’s transform our military bases—and recruiting centers—into Centers for Peace.
Co-sponsors to date: NYC Metro Raging Grannies, Veterans For Peace – NYC Chapter 34, Peace Action New York State. (In the event of inclement weather, check www.paxchristinys.org/events/.)
Good Friday Way of the Cross
Join Pax Christi Metro New York for the 44th Annual Good Friday Way of the Cross on April 3rd, 2026, at 8:30 AM at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (E. 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues) in Manhattan. This year’s theme is “Given these times, what would Jesus do or say?” Each Station is led by a different group and addresses a different contemporary issue like immigration, poverty, health care, nuclear weapons, or the environment—different ways Jesus continues to suffer in our world today. Be part of this prayerful commemoration of Jesus’s passion and crucifixion. All are welcome, rain or shine.
March in Support of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)
A coalition of peace groups, including Pax Christi, will be joining an international contingency of supporters of the NPT on Sunday, April 26th, starting at 10 AM at the main branch of the New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue and 41st Street. We hope to begin with a prayer, some music, and a few brief speeches before processing to the Isaiah Wall on First Avenue across from the UN where we’ll end with a few more brief speeches, prayer, and music. We are particularly pleased to be accompanied by several hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and fellow peacemakers from Japan. More activities are also in the planning stage, so keep checking in for updated information.
Peacemaker Award Reception
All are invited to Pax Christi Metro New York’s annual Peacemaker Award Reception on Saturday afternoon, June 6th, in Keenan Hall, Xavier High School, New York, NY. We are very pleased to announce this year’s honorees: Maria Stephan, the Co-lead & Chief Organizer at the Horizons Project and an award-winning author and organizer whose work has focused on the role of nonviolent movements advancing human rights, democracy, and peace; Sr. Kathleen Deignan, CND, the founder of The Iona Spirituality Center, The Thomas Berry Forum for Ecological Dialogue, and The Thomas Merton Contemplative Initiative at Iona University; and Ghassan Rubeiz, the former Middle East Secretary of the World Council of Churches, psychology and social work professor, and contributor to political commentary on peace, justice, and interfaith topics. Plan to join us for a guaranteed good time with inspiring people and speeches, music, refreshments, a raffle, and simple fun. More details to come.
PCNYS Gathering and Kateri Peace Conference
Also save the dates of August 14th and 15th, 2026. We’ll be returning to the St. Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine in pastoral Fonda, NY for what is becoming an annual double feature. This year’s theme for PCNYS will be Living Nonviolence in a Violent World, and we are excited to announce that our presenters will be Marie Dennis, Director of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence and Senior Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative of Pax Christi International, and Tom Cordaro, former director of Justice and Outreach Ministry at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville, IL, former chair of the Pax Christi USA National Council, writer, organizer, and activist. Please plan to join us for an informative, reflective, and restorative couple of days in a retreat-like setting. We’ll share more about where to stay, directions, and suggested donation (no set fee, so it’s whatever you can afford) closer to the dates.
Also check the Pax Christi USA events page (https://paxchristiusa.org/events/) for other events and keep checking back here for updates.