Prayer Vigil Enters Third Month as Pilgrims Continue to Pray for Peace
Apr 08, 2003
HAMBURG, N.Y. – Now that the U.S.-led war with Iraq is well underway, a prayer vigil by the Hilbert College Franciscan pilgrims is showing no signs of slowing down since it started more than two months ago.
Since Feb. 3, the Franciscan pilgrims have dedicated one hour each weekday to pray as part of the college’s Prayer for World Peace vigil. Nearly a dozen pilgrims are participating, oftentimes accompanied by others from the Hilbert community for prayers in the college chapel.
Initially, the vigil concentrated on praying for a peaceful resolution to the U.S.-Iraq conflict, explained Sister Edmunette Paczesny, Ph.D., president of Hilbert. With the U.S. at war, the vigil has taken on new meaning.
"The overall intention was and still is to pray for world peace but now it goes well beyond this in terms of seeing an early end to the war with Iraq and for the support and safe return of our troops. Even more, our prayers are for the Iraqi civilians to be kept out of harm’s way," she said.
Barbara Bonanno, a Franciscan pilgrim involved in the vigil, agreed the prayers have taken on additional significance since the war started March 19.
"Certainly," she said, 'we are continuing to pray for world peace but there are so many people affected by the war with Iraq that our prayers have broadened to include the safety of U.S. military, families and friends of our troops, and Iraqi civilians. It’s our desire to remember as many as those affected both in Iraq and on the home front."
The Franciscan pilgrims, who have already contributed a combined 50 hours of their time, will continue the vigil for the foreseeable future, at minimum until the end of the spring semester in May. However, with continued support from the pilgrims and college community, it’s anticipated the vigil will extend into the summer or as long as necessary, said Sister Edmunette.
St. Francis, she added, founder of the Franciscan order, including Hilbert’s founding congregation, emphasized peaceful ways to resolve conflicts. It’s a goal the pilgrims are trying to emulate with the vigil.
"Francis’ life turned around when he decided against joining the Crusades because he wanted to be a part of peaceful ways to relate with others. That’s what the college’s pilgrims are trying to accomplish with the vigil – a peaceful resolution," she said.
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.