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A Season for Nonviolence, January 30 - April 4, is a national 64-day educational, media, andgrassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world. The Season for Nonviolence's foundational program, 64 Ways in 64 Days offers many ways for individuals to practice nonviolence throughout the Season. Here you can find materials for teens, children, group activities, public service announcements, formatted booklets, and a mandala meditation tool. Click HERE for more information.-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jesus taught us the way of nonviolence, which flows from God's love. St. Francis reiterated this message by his life and announced it with his greeting "May the Lord give you peace!" Because we are all created by one God, we are all interconnected as sisters and brothers. It follows, therefore, that we respect all humankind and seek to live our lives in peace and harmony with one another and all of creation.
The concept of nonviolence continues to be a vital, evolving force in the world. The mass movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in India in the first part of the twentieth century and the struggle for civil rights by African-Americans in the United States under the leadership of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. are inspiring examples of how effective active nonviolence can be.
Nonviolent action has nothing to do with passivity, submissiveness or cowardice. Individuals, groups, and movements continue to develop creative, life-affirming ways to resolve conflict, overcome oppression, establish justice, protect the earth, build democracy, and bring resolution to conflict.
As
our mission states, the Clinton Franciscans are committed to the promotion of active nonviolence as a way of life, yet we also appreciate that we must work continually to deepen our understanding of the principles of nonviolence. Along with our Franciscan sisters and brothers worldwide, we are guided by the key dissertation, "
Instruments of Peace" which affirms nonviolence as an intrinsic to Franciscan life.
There are so many opportunities for advocating active nonviolence in our time. We've included information here on the following issues:
