September 11, 2006 is the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. But it is also the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Gandhi’s first non-violent campaign. Mahatma Gandhi launched his first campaign of non-violent direct action in South Africa on September 11, 1906.
To commemorate the Centennial of that event, Interfaith Paths to Peace, an independent non-profit group in Louisville, Kentucky, is sponsoring a five-day, 52-mile "Gandhi-Merton Pilgrimage for Peace and Non-Violence," September 7-11, 2006. The pilgrimage is designed, in the manner of Gandhi and Merton, to draw attention to the importance of finding non-violent solutions to the world’s most difficult problems.
The Pilgrimage will be led by long-time peace activist Fr. John Dear, SJ, and Phil Cousineau, author of The Art of Pilgrimage, and a number of other deeply spiritual books.
The pilgrimage is meant to bring together pilgrims representing all of the world's great religions who are committed to non-violent work for peace and justice. The number of pilgrims for the full 5-day journey is limited to 50 (however, it is possible to walk only a portion of the full 52-mile distance.) The pilgrims will stay in churches and retreat houses. Meals will be provided by local religious or civic groups.
While there is no fee for taking part in the pilgrimage, it is hoped that all participants will make a contribution (according to their means) to help offset expenses.
The pilgrims will begin their journey on September 7, with a retreat at the Hindu Temple of Kentucky led by Fr. Dear. They will spend the night at the Abbey of Gethsemani begin their journey at Thomas Merton's hermitage on September 8.
The pilgrimage will conclude on September 11 in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, at a site where, on March 18, 1958, Merton had the famous realization of his connectedness to and responsibility for all of humanity. That realization symbolically marked the beginning of Merton's work for peace and justice, work that earned him the title of "Conscience of the Peace Movement" in the 1960's.
INTERFAITH PATHS TO PEACE (IPP) is a Louisville-based organization whose mission is to bring together people of a variety of religious backgrounds for activities that foster deep dialogue. It is IPP's hope that such dialogue will foster better understanding and thus make Louisville, the nation and the world more peaceful.
For more info, call Terry Taylor, Executive Director of Interfaith Paths to Peace at (502) 214-7322, cell (502) 299-7591 or visit InterfaithPathsToPeace.org
