In St. Cloud, A Prayer Vigil for Peace, Justice, Hope and Healing

On Sunday, November 4, 2012, close to 30 people participated in a prayer vigil outside the chancery of Minnesota's St. Cloud Diocese. Organized by area Catholics, the vigil was billed as a "loving, peaceful and respectful" gathering.

The purpose of the vigil was to pray for peace, justice, hope, and healing around the divisive 'marriage amendment.' The Prayer of St. Francis, which was prayed out loud a number of times, reflected well the purpose of the event and the intent of those who gathered.

C4ME-MN executive coordinator Michael Bayly traveled from the Twin Cities to attend the vigil. On his blog The Wild Reed he wrote:

It felt good to be part of this gathering, and I was heartened by its loving and hopeful energy. Kelly Doss (left) did a beautiful job organizing the vigil, along with a number of previous events in St. Cloud, all of which focused on why as Catholics we can oppose the 'marriage amendment.'

Related Links:
Minnesota Marriage Fight Cuts Deep for Catholics – Patrick Condon (Associated Press via the San Francisco Chronicle, November 3, 2012).
"This is the Living Word" – Sensus Fidelium (March 28, 2012).
Voting No and No: A Catholic Perspective – Jamie L. Manson (Sensus Fidelium, October 25, 2012).
Why Catholics Can Vote 'No' – Fr. Bob Pierson, OSB (Sensus Fidelium, June 11, 2012).
Polls Show Gay Marriage Leading in Minnesota, Maine – Tom Kludt (TPM, November 4, 2012).
The Amendment is About More Than Marriage; It’s About Putting Gays Back in the Closet – Andy Birkey (TheColu.mn, November 5, 2012).

Images: Michael J. Bayly.