Peace Pole stands proud through sun and snow

by Matthew Tho/ey assiatant perspectives editor

What on campus symbolizes r-pea:86t--1er,re:~nts e1g1if differenL languages and can always be found outside the Widener Center?

The correct answer would be the peace pole, which is located on the commons area of Cabrini's campus.

The peace pole was donated to Cabrini on May 3, I 992. The peace pole was dedicated to Cabrini as a memorial to Sister Eileen Currie, who served as the president of the college for 10 years.

Students, faculty and alumni helped prepare the garden for both the ceremony and peace pole offering.

The inscription "May Peace

Prevail On Earth," can be found in eight different languages marked on the peace pole.

Each language represents Cabrini missions. that are both worldwide and promote peace in areas of political unrest.

Some of the languages that can be found on Cabrini's peace pole include English, Italian, Portuguese and Swahili.

The peace pole stands six feet tall and has four plates inscribed with the peace message.

According to Myrna M. Grandgenett, assistant to the president for mission integration, the main focus of the peace pole was and is seen as an outreach of peace and a sign of global unity.

"I see the peace pole garden as both a quiet place of reflection, meditation and a meeting area be- p oto ta en y rnsey e,ser The peace pole, popular on many college campuses, stands proud amid a winter's landscape. fore classes," said Grandgenett. The original peace pole project was started in Japan by the World Peace Prayer Society, which was founded in 1955.

The whole idea and concept of the project was to uplift humankind toward harmony rather than conflict.

To date, over 10,000 peace poles in I 60 countries have been dedicated.

Peace poles are a common monument placed throughout the world as an international sign, symbol and representative of peace.

The main purpose of peace poles is to spread the message, "May Peace Prevail On Earth," and act as a constant reminder for us to pray and meditate for world peace.

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Sophomore Jessica Van lngen, a pre-pharmacy major, has never been to the peace pole. "I'm glad to see that there's an article being written about it," Van Ingen said. "I never really knew anything about it."

Megan Lomas, a sophomore pre-nursing major, recalled having class at the peace pole in the gardens. " I was there for a Steve Murray class. We read literature with grapes and snacks," Lomas said. "It was a nice day; a nice alternative to the classroom."

So next time you're sitting by the peace pole, contemplate on the very words that are written upon it for eight different cultures. Though they are separated by many barriers, they are all connected by one quest for peace prevailing on Earth.