Benedictine Global Justice Club and Campus Ministry, Atchison, Kansas.
April 9, 2026
Benedictine’s Global Justice Club and Campus Ministry are collaborating to hosted a Peace Vigil on Thursday, April 9 from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., outside of the Heble Center. At a time when global war and division dominate headlines, Benedictine students are making room for unity, reflection, and hope.
Organized by student leaders, the event invites all students and faculty to come together and take part in a shared moment of reflection. The vigil will consist of an introductory speech, a guided prayer conducted by Campus Ministry, and student leaders’ thoughts on the Ten Benedictine Hallmarks. After a brief period of silence to allow for introspection, participants will engage in a symbolic “Peace Pole” action to demonstrate their dedication to harmony and peace. Refreshments will be served at the end of the session, enabling participants to continue discussions and build connections outside of the scheduled program.
For student organizer Bailey Soto, the purpose of the vigil is simple yet powerful: to demonstrate unity across differences.
“All cultural and religious beliefs are accepted on campus, despite being a Catholic university,” said Soto.
The idea for the Peace Vigil has been in development for some time. Mahnoor Fatani, President of the Global Justice Club, explained that the event was inspired by ongoing global conflicts and humanitarian crises affecting communities around the world.
“As students, we felt a responsibility to acknowledge this suffering and respond in a meaningful way,” Fatani said. “Planning has been underway for several weeks in collaboration with Campus Ministry to ensure the event reflects both our values and our intentions.”
At this point in the semester, organizers feel a renewed sense of purpose in bringing the event to life. With the campus theme of prayer, selected by President Joseph Foy, the vigil serves as a meaningful way to close out the academic year.
“We felt it was especially meaningful to close out the year with a vigil that brings together reflection, prayer, and a shared commitment to peace,” Fatani added.
More than just an event, the Peace Vigil responds to the current global climate. With increasing conflict and division worldwide, organizers hope the gathering will remind participants of their shared humanity and the importance of compassion.
“In a time when it is easy to feel disconnected or overwhelmed, the vigil offers a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect,” Fatani said. “It reminds us that even small acts of unity and compassion matter.”
As the Benedictine community gathers outside the Heble Center, the Peace Vigil aims to do more than acknowledge global challenges- it seeks to inspire a collective commitment to peace, understanding, and unity.