As we celebrated the feast of Blessed Fr. Chaminade in Guatemala; I had mixed reactions and feelings about our celebration and about this country. I feel great Pride that the Marianist Family is taking root here and feel we are making significant progress our efforts. At the same time, I know that something terribly evil is strangling the very life and future of this beautiful land.

     The evil shows itself in violence and death. The wanton killing of innocent people here is mind-boggling. This year (2006) so far we have had 304 killings in the city. In 2005, 5,338 (14.6 a day) were killed. This past weekend we had 20 people murdered in the city. Twelve of the 20 were from our neighborhood – zone 6.

     Last Thursday after my class, I was escorted home by a teacher and I asked him how many children he had. He replied five and that three were still living. Two were killed by neighborhood gangs ;his 16 year old daughter just a year ago – shot in the left eye and three times through the heart.

     I wonder what Abraham Lincoln would say in face of such carnage. He had 285 words at Gettysburg. Would Lincoln be able to inspire us anew to move forward? “…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain… that this nation, under God , shall have a new birth of freedom… that that government of the people… by the people …for the people… shall not perish from the earth.” Words fail me.

     What would Chaminade say/ do? What would Jesus say/ do? Would he weep over Jerusalem? Would he speak up in the face of such evil? And I?

Bill Farrell, S.M.,...desde Guatemala 12