The Story of Our Peace Stones

The Good Samaritan Ministry was launched from the original Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage. At that time, the Shrine was an old and tired building but remained a warm and welcoming sanctuary of peace. Visitors would stop by throughout the day to sit, rest, and pray.

Our ministry is rooted in the conviction that violence is often a primary cause of our spiritual suffering. In the back corner of the old Shrine, we set up a small prayer space for visitors seeking healing and peace. We invited them to leave behind a stone with their name or the name of a loved one who was suffering from an encounter with violence. Over the years we have continued to pray for all those who have left their stones with us. Recently, we moved the stones to the Francis of Assisi Garden of Prayer at Monica’s Kitchen. We now welcome others to add their stones to the garden.