Fiestas Patrias.

Today and tomorrow, the people of Chile celebrate Fiestas Patrias, a two-day national holiday commemorating the start of the movement toward the country's independence from Spain as well as past military victories won by the Chilean army (which has not, as far as I know, been involved in a foreign conflict since the War of the Pacific in the 19th century). Given my own recent sojourn in Chile, I'll be praying in a special way today and tomorrow for all the people I encountered there and particularly for the Chilean Jesuits who were so hospitable to me during my stay. May God abundantly bless the people of Chile and grant them peace and prosperity. AMDG.