Another prayer vigil is planned at Toronto City Hall’s Peace Garden for 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 9 with Sr. Mary Alban Bouchard CSJ giving the reflection.
Prayer Vigils for the People of Haiti
On January 12th the people of Haiti experienced a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. As a result they experienced unspeakable suffering, deaths and devastation. Our hearts and lives cried out in pain and sorrow as the whole world witnessed this nation of sorrow and expressed a desire to be with them in solidarity.
First Vigil
On Tuesday January 19th a group of concerned friends gathered at the Peace Garden at Toronto’s City Hall for a prayer vigil for the people of Haiti.
Rosemary Fry CSJ, a Sister of St Joseph who was in Haiti (and has since returned to Haiti) led us in reflection. Rosemary expressed how immensely God loved the people of Haiti and how greatly God was present to them now.
Second Vigil
On Tuesday January 26th, the Prayer Vigil continued at the Peace Garden at City Hall. Jean Leahy CSJ led the opening prayer, reading a reflection by Lorraine Malo CSJ, a Sister who has since returned to Haiti.
Deeply touching us is the picture of the young boy arising from the devastation and the people welcoming him joyfully.
Indeed Haiti is a nation, a people of miracles and resurrections. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian martyred saint, would say it is the duty of a person to stand publicly as a witness in truth and solidarity with our suffering sisters and brothers in times of great suffering.
We hold this duty seriously and are joined by all our communities and friends from wherever they are. God hears ‘The Cries of the Poor’!
By Susan Moran OLM
.