Montreal, Quebec, 9 November 2007 (CBNS) — “The one religion of God ‘eternal in the past, eternal in the future’ unfolded before our eyes,” said Ilona Weinstein, one of the nearly 500 audience members who attended the dynamic interfaith gathering recently held at the Chapelle des Franciscains in Montreal.
Audience members seated in Montreal's Chapelle des Franciscains for the Spiritual Gathering for Peace event Organized through the secular NGO Initiatives of Change, the Canadian associate of a global network working to foster fellowship, and input from members of the local religious communities, the interfaith event, entitled “Veuilles Spiritualle pour la Paix” (Spiritual Gathering for Peace), featured sacred prayers and practices from eight different spiritual traditions including: First Nations, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Sikh, and Baha'i.
The seating at the Franciscan chapel was completely filled for the event and over the course of the evening overflowed with latecomers who stood at the back to watch. But for all those present, a palpable spirit of peace and unity pervaded the diverse display of sights and sounds which unfolded.
A First Nations ceremony with sweet grass, Hindu prayers, Buddhist chants, Jewish readings, Christian hymns, Islamic Sufi dancing, Sikh music, each in turn, featured participants in colorful traditional dress. The final presentation, by the Baha’is, demonstrated the reality of unity in diversity in a different way, as the Baha'i presenters themselves came from many different races and further recited and sung verse from their holy writings using many different languages.
In the words of one participant, “Even though on the surface [religious groups] all seem very different, when we are able to come together and know each other on a spiritual level, we realize we are all united.”
To view a gallery of pictures taken at this event, please click here.