Celebrating the Festival of Lights

There are many common values among the many faith traditions that span our globe. This week, we join with our Hindu, Sikh, and Jain brothers and sisters to celebrate Diwali, also known as Deepavali and the "festival of lights." This ancient Hindu festival, celebrated in autumn every year, signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. The festival coincides with the Hindu New Year and normally occurs sometime in late October through early November.