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PEACE THROUGH NON VIOLENCE What a difficult year this has been, for the world as a whole and for the beleaguered Churches trying to proclaim the Good News in spite of widespread catastrophe. Our Sisters in Texas have for some years been engaged in an option for non-violence, beginning in their own hearts and radiating outwards to all they meet and to the wider world. This non-violence has taken many forms: firstly, a quality of presence; secondly, concrete action such as demonstrations, letters and active efforts to make peace in the ordinary circumstances of life; lastly and above all, prayer. At our General Chapter in Belgium last year, it was affirmed as one of seven major choices for Sisters of St Mary everywhere. PEACE THROUGH FORGIVENESS In
Rwanda, many of our Sisters lived through the genocide of 1994,
so non-violence is vitally important in that country. One Sister
did some wonderful work with women who had been widowed during the
war, and the upshot of their joint endeavours was that, following
visits to the prisons, the women managed to transcend their pain
and extend forgiveness to those who were serving sentences for killing
their husbands. 6,500 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE PROCLAIM PEACE In Brazil, too, the choice for non-violence has gained much momentum. In November, our Sisters found an opportunity to express it by way of a big celebration. This year marks 25 years of our presence in the city of Tobias-Barreto, where throughout all these years there has been a big concentration on catechesis and work with youth, though not to the exclusion of other ministries. The Sisters wanted to mark their silver jubilee with an opportunity for evangelisation. This they did with gusto, organising, with the help of teachers, young women aspiring to the religious life, and present and former catechists, a big peace pilgrimage involving a long walk of 58 kilometres, in three stages, punctuated by further evangelisation on the way. There were some glorious moments, and some touching ones. The whole programme began about three weeks before this, with catechists and other volunteers going into every school in the city and planning lessons with the theme of peace. The idea was conveyed in various ways that we cannot be artisans of peace unless we are trying to live it in our hearts, our homes and our places of work and study. As many as 6,500 children and young people were finally involved in the campaign. Everyone was astonished at the spirit of openness and generosity and the high level of participation at every stage. On the Saturday evening before the climax of the celebrations there was a peace vigil in the courtyard of one of the schools, again mostly involving young people. Many people then moved on, in buses provided, to the village of Brazília where there were refreshments and a final celebration of the Eucharist. Three seminarians travelled on an open lorry with loudspeakers, leading prayers and reflections at designated spots along the way. PRAYING
FOR PEACE |