In November 2001 I sat in a small chapel in Assisi, on retreat with a good friend of mine James Twyman and others and listened to one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever heard. His name was Fr Maximilian Mizzi.
As I listened to his gentle loving wisdom I knew I was in the presence of someone very special. I listened as he spoke about how we are making progress towards peace in the world and how the world needs prophets of peace to keep working in this direction. His presence had such an influence on me and most especially his words when he said “when someone turns to you and says they hate you, you turn to them and say – I Love You“. As anyone who has ever been in such a situation knows this is not an easy task and takes a lot of courage. (click on photo above to hear his voice from an album called Graceful passages – also see end of this article)
In 1986 for the first time in human history twelve of the worlds main religions gathered to pray for peace. Fr Mizzi was one of the main organisers of this event and indeed worked for peace almost all his life, encouraging dialogue between religions. In fact he was himself a refugee at the end of WWII when his families home had been destroyed in Malta. In January 2002, Pope John Paul II called the religious leaders to Assisi again to pray for peace.
In 2003 Fr Mizzi came to Ireland and spoke with others about peace in a “Paths to Peace” conference myself and others organised.
Today I received an email from Assisi to say Fr Maximilian Mizzi has passed on. There is absolutely no doubt in my heart and mind that this world is a far more peaceful place because Fr Maximilian Mizzi lived. In honour of Fr Mizzi I’ll finish this short tribute with the
Christian Prayer for Peace
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.
Blessed be the Peacemakers,
for they shall be called the Children of God
 Fr Mizzi’s funeral will take place in the Lower Basilica, Assisi on Wednesday 5th March at 15.00.
If you’d like to read more about Fr Mizzi’s life click here
In Peace & Gratitude
Sean M Kelly
 ps: If you’d like to purchase the CD Graceful Passages click here
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
MY PAST JOB AS A JOURNALIST EDITOR COULDN’T LET IT GO BY TO HAVE YOU CORRECT THE SPELLING ON “LOSE” IN REF TO THIS BEING OF LIGHT AND HIS PASSING INTO PURE POSITIVE ENERGY! THE HEADLINE WAS INCORRECTLY SPELLED “LOOSES”….
THANKS AND KEEP UP THE EXPANDING LIGHT PROGRAMS! IN LOVE
DOC RO
THank you for sharing of your expirience dear Sean M Kelly,and bringing the words of wisdom!form Fr Maximilian Mizzi .who was a definatly a great dear and important man…and in posetivity change this world forever!!!
God bless all with peace!!! and may blsessings of joy andc lagther unfold
dear beloved Fr Maximilian Mizzi on his path/jeaourney!!!!!amen!
may peace grow stronger in all amen!
peaceshaloom,
Amir
Dear Sean:
Hello! I’m the person who co-created Graceful Passages…I wrote the music, edited all the words, and coenvisioned the work with my former creative partner, Michael Stillwater. I’m in the process of creating visual versions of these audio tracks called WisdomFilms, and I’m wondering if you have an interest in helping us bring attention to this exciting new project. It represents an innovation in short format ‘inner-tainment’, allowing people to use short films, downloadable to their smart phones and computers, to still the mind, open the heart, and inspire the spirit. We’re involved in asking kindred spirit organizations to consider launching a co-branded eblast as affiliates, depending on the data base involved. It looks like we’re joined in our purpose to bring greater compassion, mindfulness, and love into the world. If you’re interested in talking about this, please email me. Thank you for your work! I hope you’ll consider referring people to Wisdomoftheworld.com from your site when referring the Graceful Passages work, or at least giving people an opportunity to know more about the person who actually created the music. Michael and I are beloved friends, so I’m glad that you’re also supporting him and his work! Be well, Gary Malkin.