As people seek out comfort after the bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday, many religious leaders are seeing an influx during this tough time.
At the St. Anthony Shrine in Boston on Wednesday, local Susan Grealy sought comfort and said the city of Boston is in need of a lot of prayer.
"I come here just to get grounded and just for strength and for everyone around me going through this terrible time," she said.
Grealy said this brings back the basics and the Golden Rule.
"Just pray for even the perpetrators and give them the strength and courage to come forward and just pray for each other,” she said.
John Paul Foley said he prays here every morning, but his conversations with God have changed since the bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday.
"What purpose and what good could come out of it," he said.
Rabbi Shmuel Posner, of the Chabad House of Greater Boston, said he's been flooded with tough questions.
"I deal with it on a personal level and a community level," he said.
People question everything from why the tragedy happened to how to cope the overwhelming sadness.
"I'm telling them that essentially the world is a good place. When we have to deal with evil, it’s a temporary phenomenon," he said. "Try to see things in the bigger picture and, most importantly. they should focus their energies on good things. They should be kinder to each other, do good deeds."
More than 400 runners from Connecticut participated in the marathons. Others volunteered or watched the race. An interfaith service will be held in Berlin on Thursday night.
It will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, 1781 Berlin Turnpike, in Berlin.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their family members. We come together in unity and solidarity to seek comfort and healing." Dr. Reza Mansoor, president, Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, said.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
