Sant'Egidio Prayer for Peace
In September 2024, several students from Boston College, including FPJ minors Julia Franco and Nelson Teixeira da Pedra, traveled to Paris as student delegates to the annual Prayer for Peace organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio.
Julia and Nelson encountered a sense of unconditional community care for topics related to justice and peace from religious leaders across the world. They attened conferences and were invited to meditate on ways to bridge community in the face of conflict and how to honor humanity.
Faith, Peace, and Justice Senior Dinner 2023
In April 2023, Faith, Peace, and Justice Seniors gathered at Seasons 52 in Chestnut Hill for the Annual Faith, Peace, and Justice Senior Dinner.
The seniors discussed their final projects and their plans for the future. The seniors were joined by Dr. Stephan Edwards and Dr. Meghan Sweeney who directed sections of the Faith, Peace, and Justice Senior Seminar as well as Dr. Joshua Snyder, Director of the Faith, Peace, and Justice minor.
Study Abroad Opportunity for Faith, Peace and Justice Minors: South Africa
Faith, Peace and Justice Students Abroad in South Africa
In summer 2023, FPJ minors Julia Franco, Dilan Luhana, and Ashley Polimeno along with eight other BC students joined Prof. Joshua Snyder for Religion, Justice, and Reconciliation in South Africa. This course was a philosophical and theological examination of how South African religious communities resisted racism and xenophobia and led national efforts at reconciliation in the decades after the apartheid era officially ended.
“I am still reflecting on the experiences and connections I had the opportunity to be a part of in South Africa. We investigated the history of Apartheid, and how although it officially ended in 1994, the oppressive and racist structures that drove injustice then are largely still in place today. Every person we met and every story we heard, it is forever etched in my heart and mind. I am inspired, but I am also bothered. I will remember the wisdom from this trip while I continue with Faith, Peace and Justice studies at BC and beyond.” Julia Franco
“As a student on the trip to South Africa I was able to interact with local communities and visit many religious spaces and organizations. This was important in teaching me how religious spaces can be actors of social justice and also providing me with examples of how I can get involved and help out.” Dilan Luhana
“Studying abroad during the summer in South Africa brought me more proximate to learning about the themes of faith, peace, and justice than I ever imagined. I am fortunate to have encountered South Africa’s beauty, the pride of its citizens, vibrance of its culture, and struggles for justice the country continues to face all alongside an excited group of students and a passionate Professor Snyder. We developed a strong family bond eager to both embrace and challenge one another in our learning!” Ashley Polimeno
Faith, Peace, and Justice Senior Dinner 2022
Class of 2022
Natalie Arndt, Olivia Bird, Mary Brooks, Emily Browder, Grace Collins, Catherine Dowling, Kelsey French, Nicholas Gallagher, Diana Hadjiyane, Gabriella Kastrunes, Mary Kenny, Sarah Lepsevich, Desiree Lewis, Molly Malloy, Peyton Olszowka, Felipe Pardo, Christopher Rizzo, Jillian Sherwood
Faith, Peace, and Justice Seniors 2021
Class of 2021
Sarah Ashebir, Patrick Carpenter, Winnie Chan, Louise De Galard Terraube, Kathryn Destin, Theresa Fallon, Sarah Lara, Zhanhao Liao, Sofia Marino, Michael Nelson, Jonathan Ng, Juan Rascon, Emma Saart, Anne Ward, Andrew Wilson