Since 2022, the Community of Sant’Egidio has hosted the Vigil for Peace, to commemorate the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on August 6 and 9, respectively, 1945. For 75 consecutive hours, the Community gathers in prayer to remember these two cities and, with them, all places in the world where violence continues.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the bombings. Our 75 hour vigil will be divided in two locations. In the United States, we will gather at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Mary and Jesus at 8:00 AM August 6. The Chapel will remain open until 8:00 PM that night, with the same rhythm repeating on August 7th and 8th. Sant’Egidio will also be hosting the Vigil in Nagasaki, also from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM for those same three days, August 6 until the morning of August 9th, at 11:02 AM, marking the detonation of the bomb over Nagasaki.
The Vigil will also be streamed live from Nagasaki and New York.
All are welcome to join.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only two cases of intentional destructive use of atomic weapons. The Vigil is open to all, including families and children, for prayer and hospitality.
If you would like to sign up to host an hour of prayer, would like to share an intention to be read aloud, or have any questions please email vigilforpeace@santegidio.org.
Please see a schedule of particularly devoted prayer hours in New York below.
Wednesday, August 6
3:00pm – 4:00pm The Catholic Worker
4:00pm – 5:00pm Metro New York Catholic Climate Movement
7:00pm – 8:00pm Community of Sant’Egidio
Thursday, August 7
11:00am – 1:00pm Pax Christi Metro New York
3:00pm – 4:00pm Focolare
6:30pm – 7:30pm Taizé Prayer
Friday, August 8
9:00am –10:00am IMCS-MIEC Pax Romana
10:00am – 11:00am Dorothy Day Center at Manhattan University and the Dorothy Day Guild
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm The Catholic Worker
9:00 pm – 10:15 pm (10:02) Concluding Prayer for Peace with the Community of Sant’Egidio
The Vigil for Peace is organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio and the Archdiocese of Nagasaki, in collaboration with the Focolare, parishioners of Our Saviour, volunteers and other organizations.