May 5 is a Mexican national holiday honoring a famous victory in 1862 by Mexican soldiers over French forces invading Mexico. Thousands of people in the U.S. also celebrate this holiday with parades and feasting, though one wonders if they are fully aware of what the holiday is all about. We do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo in our monastery, but we surely have the same sentiments as those who do celebrate it—rejoicing in freedom, independence from foreign threats and foreign domination.
Regularly, at Eucharist and at Liturgy of the Hours, our community offers intercessory prayers for peace worldwide. Occasionally, some of our Sisters demonstrate publicly against war, carrying signs near the Barnes and Noble store in St. Cloud. It seems war is a constant in human history and our monastic life cannot ignore that fact.
Photo of largest human peace sign (2500 people) found here.
May brings us to the peak of Spring and we see fresh life as Nature buds forth. Perhaps all life will someday be held so sacred that wars will be the exception and not the rule.
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