CINCINNATI — The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will celebrate the Catholic Church’s 48th World Day of Peace with two special Masses on Sunday, Jan. 1.

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will preside at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will preside at St. Christopher Church in Vandalia, also at 11 a.m. Both Masses will be followed by a reception with light refreshments.

The Masses are co-sponsored by the Archdiocesan offices of Catholic Social Action, Worship, and Mission.

Catholics around the globe have celebrated New Year’s Day as World Day of Peace since 1968, making this the 50th anniversary year for the occasion. Pope Francis has announced the theme this year as “Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace.” In light of this theme, the Archdiocese will recognize at these liturgies ministries which exemplify nonviolent approaches to conflict at various levels of society. They will include peacemaking efforts for the family, interfaith relations, racial reconciliation in the city, civil discourse in our nation, nonviolent strategies for global disputes, and greater harmony with the natural environment.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 38th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has the sixth largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment. The 19-county territory includes 211 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.