PAX (Pilgrims After Christ) was formed in 1969 as a lay-led Intentional Eucharistic Community (IEC) in the Roman Catholic tradition, united around planning and celebrating the Sunday liturgy and living the Gospel values of justice, compassion and peace.
In 2015, PAX members formally approved this statement of community aspiration and affirmation:
PAX:
1. Draws strength from the belief that the Holy Spirit continually challenges our Community, and infuses our desire to look outward and serve with purpose, direction and love.
2. Is the type of community that Jesus asked us to be: a home and source for inspiration, sharing and comfort for people of faith and those in need.
3. Appreciates the rich history of the 2,000-year old Church and seeks to build on the reformations of Vatican II (which led to the formation of the PAX Community) in ways that challenge us to re-envision the relevance and application of Catholic traditions in our Community.
4. Is enriched and blessed by the counsel and engaging homilies of our Roman Catholic priests and recognizes the need to cultivate bonds to additional presiders as well as links to new opportunities with other communities and individuals who are sources of information, inspiration, growth and comfort.
PAX members form a caring, sharing community eager to discover how we can live our commitment to Gospel values in today’s world. As part of this commitment, we meet with priests and other faith leaders prior to celebrating our liturgies to explore the meaning of the readings in our daily lives. Together, we plan how to express our insights through theme, message, visuals, music, meditations, homily, dialogue, etc.
The PAX community supports the use of inclusive language in the liturgy, with non-gender-specific references to God. This helps create an affirming climate that reflects the Gospel message of inclusion.
Our commitment to inclusion also means we are LGBT-friendly and extends through active engagement in the world in solidarity with others. PAX members promote social, racial, environmental and economic justice. We support local and global projects that feed people who are hungry, assist refugees, and engage in other justice-focused activities to create a better future for all.
In addition to liturgies and other Gospel-centered activities, PAX provides faith and justice education programs for adults and children.
In short, PAX provides a caring environment where members are more than just a name; we become an extended family united through faith.