


. . . is a grassroots movement that promotes, supports and celebrates San Antonio’s commitment to be a world-class compassionate city: one where the civic government, the religious and volunteer organizations, the businesses, the community and its educational institutions come together to recognize the importance and value of compassion in the life of a city and by doing so create an ethos of compassion and a safety net for its most vulnerable citizens. #compassionateSA
Find out more about the 2020 Compassionate Institute and the more than 150 compassionate fellows who are on a year-long journey to bring more compassion to our schools.
THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION
. . is an international initiative to restore compassionate action to the center of religious, moral and political life. Compassion is the principled determination to put ourselves in the shoes of the other, and lies at the heart of all religious and ethical systems.

Poem: “Blessing the Boats (at St Mary’s),” by Lucille Clifton
may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence...
OP-Ed- “Plant and nurture the seeds of peace”
by Rosalyn Falcon Collier Express-News, 23 January, 2021 Since 2006, the peaceCENTER has celebrated San Antonio’s peacemakers with a Blessing of the Peacemakers, held the last Sunday of January to dovetail with the start of the internationally recognized Season for...
Inaugural Poem: “The Hill We Climb,” by Amanda Gorman
When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, we’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always...
Poem: “At The End Of The Year,” by John O’Donohue
As this year draws to its end, We give thanks for the gifts it brought And how they became inlaid within Where neither time nor tide can touch them. The days when the veil lifted And the soul could see delight; When a quiver caressed the heart In the sheer exuberance...
Poem: “The Man Watching,” by Rainer Maria Rilke
I can tell by the way the trees beat, after so many dull days, on my worried windowpanes that a storm is coming, and I hear the far-off fields say things I can't bear without a friend, I can't love without a sister. The storm, the shifter of shapes, drives on across...
NEWS: Commentary: How we can harness, share compassion
From the San Antonio Express-News, 26 November, 2020 By Dennis Slattery The word “compassion” entered the fringes of social discourse years ago and has now moved closer to the center of discussion for many. Etymologically, its history reaches back to ancient periods....


Interfaith Calendar: March, 2021
- March 1: St. David of Wales – Christian
- March 2-20: Nineteen Day Fast – Baha’i
- March 7: Meatfare Sunday –Orthodox Christian
- March 10: Lailat al Miraj – Islam
- March 12: Orthodox Sunday – Orthodox Christian
- March 12: Maha Shivaratri – Hindu
- March 14: Cheesefare Sunday – Orthodox Christian
- March 15: Clean Monday (Great Lent begins) – Orthodox Christian
- March 17: St. Patrick’s Day – Christian
- March 18: Waqf al Arafa – Islam
- March 19: St. Joseph’s Day – Christian
- March 21: Norooz (New Year) – Persian/Zoroastrian
- March 21: Naw-Rúz (New Year) – Baha’i
- March 21: Ostara – Mabon * – Wicca/Neo Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres
- March 21: Orthodox Sunday – Orthodox Christian
- March 25: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Catholic Christian
- March 25: Mahavir Jayanti – Jain
- March 26: Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranthushtra) Zoroastrian
- March 28: Lailat al Bara’ah – Islam
- March 28: Lord’s Evening Meal – Jehovah’s Witness Christian
- March 28: Magha Puja Day – Buddhist
- March 28 – April 8: Pesach – Jewish
- March 28: Palm Sunday – Christian
- March 29: Holi – Hindu