"This is the Living Word." That's how one participant describes Catholics for Marriage Equality MN's ongoing series of Lenten prayer vigils at the chancery offices of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis."The Living Word." It's a beautiful and appropriate description, as those who gather each Sunday in solidarity with their LGBT brothers and sisters embody Jesus' example of radical inclusivity, compassion and justice-making.
The primary purpose of the vigils is to gather Catholics and other people of good will to pray for Archbishop Nienstedt. Specifically, we pray that he may choose to redirect his energies and the financial resources of the Archdiocese away from the divisive ‘marriage amendment’ and toward actions that reflect Jesus' Gospel call to care for the poor and marginalized.The vigil also provides an opportunity for Catholics to pray that the archbishop and all the bishops of Minnesota may be open to the love and beauty embodied in same-sex relationships and families. Many who gather also pray that the bishops may be open to the experiences and insights of the majority of U.S. Catholics who support civil marriage rights for same-sex couples.
To read Catholics for Marriage Equality MN's
media release about its Lenten vigil series, click here.
To sign the petition related to the vigil, click here.
To read and sign the Catholic Statement of Support
for Marriage Equality, click here.
The following photographs by Catholics for Marriage Equality MN executive coordinator Michael Bayly document the first five weeks of C4ME-MN's series of Lenten prayer vigils. It's fascinating (and a wonderful sign of hope!) to observe the tell-tale signs of winter turning to spring from one vigil to another. Perhaps less obvious is the fact that the number of vigil attendees has grown. Eighty gathered on the First Sunday of Lent, and by the Fifth Sunday that number had over doubled. We anticipate a bigger than ever turn-out for the final vigil this weekend on Palm Sunday. Please join us if you're able!
Week 1
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Week 2
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Above: Among those who gathered on March 4 was Mary Vaughn (second from left),
who sadly passed away on March 22, 2012. Mary was a longtime justice and peace
activist. In 2001 she served a six months prison sentence after being
arrested protesting the U.S. Army School of the Americas.
Above: Lisa Vanderlinden thanks those who gathered for Week 2 of C4ME-MN's
Lenten prayer vigil.Lisa and her husband Brent feature in one of the "video vignettes"
that comprise Catholics for Marriage Equality.
Week 3
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Week 4
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Above: Darlene White, who along with her husband Tom,
features in the video series Catholics for Marriage Equality.
Week 5
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Above: Jim Smith, C4ME-MN Parish Inreach Coordinator,
invites those who gathered on March 25 to "Come Out and Sing Out
for Marriage Equality" on April 28, 2012.
for Marriage Equality" on April 28, 2012.
Week 6
Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012
Images: Michael Bayly.
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