Festival of Lights features songs, prayers and dances for peace

The Mercy Center for Spiritual Life will hold its 13th annual Festival of Lights, a multi-faith, multicultural gathering that celebrates our hopes for peace and justice in the world, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 in Ochre Court.

“The Festival of Lights is a time for the members of our community to come together to pray, to sing, to reflect and even to dance in celebration of peace that has not yet arrived,” said Anna Mae Mayer, director of the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life. “We do this because we are a people who are called to hope and to have faith that we can, indeed, create a world that is just and peaceful for all its inhabitants.”

The evening will include the lighting of the Diwali Diyas, the Chanukiah, the Advent Wreath and the Fanoos – religious symbols from the Hindu, Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. Sacred music and movement artists Christopher and Katherine Carbone will lead a participatory dance for peace.

The Festival of Lights draws on prayers and teachings from various religious traditions and cultures. Everyone is invited to join in the celebration and to raise a prayer for peace.