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An Ecumenical Floral Tribute to the Victims of Sri Lanka Bomb Attack by Franciscan Family Chennai

We were all affected by the loss of innocent lives due to the bomb blasts in Sri Lanka on the Easter Sunday. The happiness and calmness of Easter was shattered by these gruesome bomb blasts. These shocking acts of terrorism forced the people of Sri Lanka to go on lockdown. But the people around the world came out in support of the people of Sri Lanka.

One such support came from the Franciscan Family Chennai (FFC). An Ecumenical Floral Tribute to the victims of bomb attack as well as to show our unity beyond boundaries of religion, cast and race was organized on 28 th April 2019 behind Valluvarkottam, Chennai. The main topic of this ecumenical meet was, "Make me an instrument of Peace-Humanity beyond boundaries".

The speakers during this meet were invited from different religions such as Hinduism (Sr.Lalitha, Brahma Kumary, Raja Yoga Medition Centre, Nungambakkam and Swami Shashi Shikananda, Rama Krishna Mission), Islam ( Mr. A. Faizur Rahman and Dr.Salahuddin Mahammad Ayub, Chief Kazi), Buddhism (Swami Shanthilalji) and from Christianity (Rev. Fr. Praveen Henry D’Souza OFM, President, AFFI).

The prayer song was sung by the students of Stella Maris College. Dr. Victor A.Singarayar OFS, Joint Secretary, FFC, welcomed the speakers and the gathering. The nursing students of St. Isabel Hospital composed and sang a beautiful song on the importance of peace and unity among all religions. This song was much appreciated by all. All the speakers condemned the dreadful acts of violence carried out in Sri Land and all over the world in the name of Religion and Race. And they insisted the need to live in peace and harmony with each other.

Rev. Sr. Anthoniammal FBS recited the peace prayer dedicated to our holy father St.Francis of Assisi. Bro. Arul OFS read out a pledge for peace and unity among all religions and races in the world. Rev. Sr. Arul Mary FMM, Secretary of FFC, finally thanked all the speakers for their valuable contribution and the Franciscan Family that came together to show to the world that we can and ought to live in peace and unity.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Raj OFM, Coordinator of FFC, was the one who coordinated the entire program.

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