This past Sunday Loyola had a beautiful 9/11 Vigil that highlighted the interfaith nature of our campus. I was a member of the choir for the event so I knew what was going to happen, but that knowledge did not prepare me for the real experience of the vigil. I was surprised that as the event unfolded I became moved by the speakers, prayers, and the glowing candles stretching from the from the west end of the quad to the IC. It was beautiful to see all the candles lighting up the quad, each light representing a person unified in our prayer for peace. There were prayers said by Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim students. It made me proud to go to a university where our commemoration of 9/11 was not marked not just by dramatic patriotism but also with prayer. Our prayer for peace, spoken by diverse faith traditions, makes us stronger by seeing our common desire for peace. In the days since the vigil I have reflected on how to continue that prayer for peace, personally and as a community. I hope that other people will not only pray for peace, but remember the interfaith nature of the prayer. It is always hard to start a program from the ground up, but I know that it is worth the struggle. So if you’re reading this please like us on facebook (Loyola University Chicago Intefaith Ministry) and follow us on twitter @lucinterfaith – we need other people to keep the prayer for peace alive and interfaith programming flourishing!
- Elaina Jo
- Elaina Jo
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