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Focus on Peace to Continue in Prayer Vigil Entering Fifth Month
Jun 18, 2003
HAMBURG, N.Y. – A full-scale war in Iraq has transitioned into rebuilding efforts by coalition forces but a five-month long prayer vigil isn’t over yet at Hilbert College.
The Prayer for World Peace vigil, started in February, has involved almost a dozen Franciscan pilgrims from Hilbert who prayed one hour each weekday, eventually having a combined 85 hours of time committed by the end of May. Although a formal on-campus vigil is on hiatus through the summer, pilgrims will continue to devote one hour each week to the vigil until the start of the fall semester.
"Given the unsettled environment in the Middle East, the pilgrims will continue to pray for world peace. The summer months, however, will also give pilgrims an opportunity to pray for personal peace at their place of choice, whether it be at home, on vacation or any other spot that provides a chance for some reflection," said Sister Edmunette Paczesny, Ph.D., president of Hilbert.
The vigil had it roots at the time a U.S.-led war in Iraq looked imminent. Originally, the intention was to pray for a peaceful resolution to the Iraq conflict and other unrest in the world. With the start of the war, the focus then evolved into a quick end to the war and a safe return for U.S. troops, as well as for the safety of Iraqi civilians.
Sister Jacqueline Benbenek, director of campus ministry who organized the vigil, noted that the pilgrims "felt helpless on what to do to make the situation better. It didn’t matter if they were for or against the war, having the prayer vigil was a neutral approach that gave everyone a feeling of doing something positive."
"The pilgrims," added Sister Jackie, "cherished their time devoted to the vigil as it gave them a chance for quiet time for reflection."
A one-hour Hilbert community prayer vigil, "Peace in Our Heart, Peace in the World," will be held in August. The pilgrims will then decide how the vigil will proceed in the fall.
"Clearly, with the danger still faced by our troops in Iraq and recent clashes in other countries, there’s a strong need to continue praying for peace," said Sister Jackie.
Since 1993, 17 Hilbert faculty and staff have participated in the 10-day Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage, which takes the pilgrims to Assisi, Italy, the birthplace of St. Francis, and then to Rome. Participants represent Franciscan institutions from across the country, like Hilbert, to help clarify the vision and values that shape the philosophy of their respective institutions.
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