Each year Devon Preparatory School chooses a theme for the academic year.  This year, “Blessed are the Peacemakers for They will be called Children of God," was chosen. In keeping with that theme Faculty Member Mr. R. Roger Mecouch of Kennett Square suggested that a Peace Pole be planted along the driveway on the school’s campus. 

“Considering that our theme this year is Blessed are the Peacemakers, I thought it was very appropriate for us to plant one of these Poles on our property,” said Mecouch.  “It is our hope that as you come to Devon and you see this Peace Pole you will be reminded of Jesus’ blessing to the Peacemakers and of St. Francis’ prayer, which begins ‘Lord make me an instrument of your peace.’”

Written on Devon Prep’s Peace Pole is the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 8 languages, including:  English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Latin and Hungarian.  Six of the languages are currently taught at Devon Prep. One language, Russian, was taught at the school in the past. Hungarian is on the Pole in honor of the Piarist Fathers who conduct Devon Prep.

The Peace Pole was recently dedicated during a brief ceremony which included the entire student body as well as faculty and staff. (http://youtu.be/r3Yc-96E1Uw) During the ceremony “May Peace Prevail on Earth” was read aloud in each language by different faculty members, and Headmaster Rev. James Shea, Sch.P. blessed the Pole.

According to Mecouch, “the placement of Devon Prep’s Peace Pole is such that every day when you come into Devon’s campus it reiterates that it is our job to be peacemakers.”

First erected in Japan in 1955 in response to the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Peace Poles are the official project of The World Peace Prayer Society. Nearly 200,000 handcrafted monuments have been placed in more than 180 countries on all continents in an effort to spread the simple and significant message.

Devon Prep is a private, Catholic college preparatory school for young men in grades six through 12, conducted by the Piarist Fathers and located on a 20 acre campus on Philadelphia’s Main Line.  For more information call 610-688-7337 or visit www.devonprep.com and facebook.com\devonprep.