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A dialogue between the Colombian government and FARC, an armed rebel group, may have opened a window for peace in that country, our Missionaries there report.

Fr. Joseph Deardorff, C.PP.S., writes that “the dialogue has included not only a desire for peace but has opened up an opportunity for the victims to tell their stories and to express their needs. The projection is that FARC will lay down its arms in February, which will begin a period of time to work for reconciliation in order to achieve lasting peace.”

Since its beginnings, the Colombian Mission has dreamed of creating an apostolate that would promote reconciliation and work with the victims of so many years of violence and suffering. Missionaries in Colombia present the image of Our Lady of the Precious Blood as the woman of reconciliation. They asked a local artist to paint an image of the Virgin, an adaptation that would express the Colombian culture through symbols and would represent the different regions of the country.

The backdrop of the image is a burlap bag, which Colombian farmers use to store their harvest.

The Virgin presents an image of maternity and protection. She is dressed as an authentic farm worker. She presents her son, inviting all to approach him and to drink of the cup of salvation that he offers.

The child is wearing a hat and poncho. He is the presence of God incarnated in the heart of the Colombian people. His face reflects the different characteristics of our farmers and of our indigenous people.

The Missionaries have asked the Colombian people to pray to Our Lady of the Precious Blood, Woman of Reconciliation, to ask for her intercession as they work for true and lasting peace. We ask all in the Precious Blood family to join them in this prayer.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]