The Mass in Remembrance of the victims of the violence in Sri Lanka last night was very beautiful and moving. It was appropriate for this event to be held in a Roman Catholic setting, as most of the victims were themselves Catholic – it was the best choice by far to bring healing to those with strong family ties to Sri Lanka. Father Michael Ryan’s sermon was meaningful and healing. The Cathedral invited interfaith leaders to attend and asked us to sit in an area together. Toward the end of the service, representatives of the interfaith community were invited to move among those gathered with lit candles – bringing the light of love and common humanity to all those gathered. Once the service ended, we processed out to the courtyard to stand in silence as the bells rang for those injured and killed in the violence.
Muslims brought flowers and offered them to many of the Christians there as a sign of solidarity and joint grief.
You can see our solemn gathering in the photo below, with Father Ryan in the foreground.
St. James Cathedral
#faithoverfear
