With the motto “Vedruna Family for Peace”, a current of hope runs through the life and mission of the different groups and communities where the Vedruna presence is alive in the American continent.
In every place we encourage and intensify our supplication and prayer to God, which springs from the depths of our being, asking him to grant us the wisdom and strength necessary to build peace. This peace is born in the small things: in the relationships we cultivate, in the groups we belong to and in our daily lives. Because we are convinced that “peace begins from below and from within”.
Only when we remove violence, indifference, hatred and selfishness from our hearts and lives; only when we build our relationships based on harmony, respect, love and solidarity, can we make great peace possible. Then the saying “One grain does not make a barn, but it helps a fellow human being” becomes meaningful.
In Uruguay, the children of Colegio Sagrado Corazón, in Montevideo, deepen every day the value of peace from different perspectives, so that it permeates school life and spreads to their families and surroundings. With simple gestures and hearts full of love, they teach us that peace is built day by day. Today they sow peace with their hands, their words and their hearts, because together we are family.
They also created a beautiful chorus, easy to learn and accompany with gestures:
Hands on the heart:
“Peace begins in me”.Hands reaching forward:
“I share it with others.”Arms open like wings:
“Peace flies and reaches everyone.”
In Colombia, the Vedruna Laity community prepared a poster with this motto and dedicated a special time of prayer, remembering every day that peace is built from families and workplaces.
In Chile, the community of Melipilla placed in the chapel, at the foot of the altar, a mural with Pope Leo’s prayer and the names of the countries to be prayed for in a special way. This prayer for peace also takes place every noon in the offices of the Bishopric of Melipilla, where all the personnel unite to raise a prayer to the Lord.
In the United States, the prayer for peace is present in the chapel through posters with the word “peace” written in different languages, representing many countries and cultures. In addition, at the entrance of the house, a sign reminds us – as is the tradition in the area – that the Vedruna Family desires and works for peace.
As the Vedruna Family, we received a special invitation: to unite in prayer for peace.
In a world that cries out for life, justice and hope, we want to respond as a family, caring for creation and building peace in everyday life.
“Join in: a small gesture, a prayer, makes a difference.”
Sr. Isabel Miguélez, ccv
