His Holiness Pope Francis offers Papal Message for Invictus Multi-Faith Celebration at St. James’ Cathedral
The life of a serving member of the military is composed of many aspects, including the spiritual. Faith or spirituality can often be the cornerstone of a military family’s unity. A Multi-Faith Celebration is planned at St. James’ Cathedral in Toronto to honour this connection, with representation from a variety of faiths, including: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and our Indigenous Peoples, in recognition of the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the original owners of the land on which these Games are being staged.
It has always been the goal of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017’s Organizing Committee to acknowledge and honour this spiritual connection. The Multi-Faith Celebration gathers the represented faiths under one roof to honour the role that spirituality plays in service members’ lives. It is also an important opportunity for members of the faith community to express their gratitude to those who protect our rights and freedoms, including the right to worship.
“The needs of our ill and injured soldiers and veterans vary widely. For many, spirituality has been a key element in their recovery,” said Michael Burns, CEO, Invictus Games Toronto 2017.
Spiritual leaders will offer their support for the Invictus Games reading from scripture, holy texts and poems that underscore the unconquerable human spirit of the Invictus Games competitors. His Holiness Pope Francis among them, with a message sent to Michael Burns. For the full Papal Message – click here.