Sr. Lorie Nuñez and I spent time with the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage which took place on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12.
The event was sponsored by Kairos, a Canadian ecumenical organization whose mission includes “Faithful action for justice and peace”.
The five goals of the Pilgrimage were:
- Enduring and Sustained Ceasefire.
- Immediate flow of life saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance.
- Release of all captives.
- End all arms transfers to Israel.
- End of occupation so a just-peace can begin.
On Saturday we joined the pilgrimage at All Saints Anglican Church, near the Royal York Subway Station.
Each time we stopped at a Church, for lunch or at an M.P.’s office, we prayed, sang songs of peace and then one of the leaders announced, “Let us now leave peace and bring peace with us.”
As we walked, cars would honk their horn in support and passers-by would smile and show support as well. For a while, I was carrying a sign that read, “Honk for Peace!” and a fellow on the sidewalk smiled at me and said, “Honk!”
On Saturday the Raging Grannies serenaded us as we ate lunch in Christie Park.
On Sunday a letter was delivered to the office of Bill Blair, the Member of Parliament for the riding in which OLMs live. Letters were also delivered to the offices of Arif Virani, M.P., Julie Dzerowicz, M.P., Chrystia Freeland, M.P. and John McKay, M.P. The letters asked for our Government to work for Peace.
As we walked, we often sang a simple song of three words: Peace, Salem, Shalom. I tried to envision blessing the ground with my steps and hoped that it would bring peace to others who stepped on the same sidewalks.
Each time we stopped somewhere, we prayed for peace using many different prayers. I leave you with one of them:
Holy and Gracious One,
in this world of conflict and strive,
thank you for a vision of peace and justice.
Enter every heart with love and compassion for all.
Inspire leaders to work for the well-being of all people.
Let the nations unite in a common pursuit of peace.
May Holy Love reign on earth as it is in heaven.
In the name of God, who is Love
and the word of Love,
and the Holy Spirit. Amen
For those who live in Toronto or are familiar with it…. the following shows how the Pilgrimage through Toronto matched the length of the Gaza Strip from end to end, both being 41 km:
To learn more about Kairos: https://www.kairoscanada.org/
by Christine Gebel olm