FSC Peace Pole
The war between the countries of Ukraine and Russia that unfolded this year has been a heartbreaking and devastating conflict as so many people in these countries continue to suffer the hardships of this war. We continue to pray for an end to this conflict and hope for a peaceful resolution. At the entrance of Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont stands the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago (FSC) peace pole. This peace pole serves as a monument to inspire others to spread the message and prayer of world peace with the hope that one day we may achieve a better world.
The FSC Peace Pole was installed on October 2, 2011, in a special blessing ceremony. Guests and village officials from Lemont joined the Sisters that day to dedicate the peace pole and participate in a moment of prayer for the world. It was placed in front of the entrance sign at the convent to honor the Franciscan heritage of promoting the cause of world peace. St. Francis’s trademark greeting was, 'Pax et bonum' (Peace and all good).
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Thus, the peace pole is a modern representation of his peacemaking spirit and a call to all to be instruments of peace. On the peace pole is the phrase, “May Peace Prevail on the Earth” and is inscribed in eight difference languages: English, Polish, Spanish, German, Korean, Potawatomi, Latin, and Swahili. These languages were chosen because of their connection to the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and every continent on earth is represented.
"I believe that prayer for world peace is the single most needed good action in today's world for bringing peace to the individual life and, at the same time, for playing a larger role in the achievement of world peace."- Masahisa Goi, Founder of the Peace Pole
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The International Peace Pole Project began in 1955 by Masahisa Goi in Ishikawa, Japan. Mr. Goi dedicated his life to promoting world peace after the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This local movement slowly grew into an international movement by 1976. Mr. Goi believed that peace begins in the heart and mind of each individual. As war begins with thoughts of war, peace begins with thoughts of peace. The Peace Pole reminds us to keep peace ever present in our thoughts. Today nearly 200,000 peace poles have been placed in over 200 countries.
