Second Sunday of Lent reflection

"Take Back the Site" vigils: Reclaiming sacred ground

By Deb Seng

"The Lord said to Abraham, Go forth from the land of your kinfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you." Genesis 12:1

The quote from Genesis reminds me of the beginning of Erie, Pennsylvania’s prayer vigils at the site of murders. When a murder occurs, the entire community suffers. Twenty-six years ago, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie recognized that there was a need to go to the site where the violence occurred and reclaim it for nonviolence. That recognition led to the development of a prayer service called “Take Back the Site”. The Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Joseph were invited to share in hosting the prayer. The prayer vigil is centered in the Catholic Social Teachings that reminds us that all life is sacred and that as humans we grow and achieve fulfillment in community.

After the coroner deems a death a homicide, one of the religious communities contacts the family to offer condolences and to inform them of the upcoming prayer service. We find out information about the victim to personalize the prayer. The family, neighbors, and the Erie community are invited to join in this 15-minute service at the site of the murder. The prayer focuses on reclaiming the site for nonviolence. We pray for both the victim and the perpetrator. The service also asks the people in attendance to recommit themselves to living in a way that offers hope, healing, and peace to all neighbors. Family and friends are also invited to speak about the person who died.

The families of murder victims often note that knowing that people care and that their loved one will not be forgotten brings solace and peace to them. Some families have called us to ask when we will be doing the prayer if we don’t contact them soon enough.

I am always amazed at the number of people who attend each vigil. By focusing on reclaiming the site for nonviolence rather than focusing on violence, all in attendance are urged to recognize the value and sacredness of human life. The vigil stresses that a nonviolent way of life is possible and that if we are to break the cycle of violence we must all do our part.

It is my hope that there will come a time when we no longer need to have such a prayer. But until such a time, we will do as the Lord asked Abraham: go to a place where you are needed.

About Deb Seng

Deb Seng is an agrégée with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Agrégées (a French word meaning “attached to”) are Catholic women who feel called to commit themselves to Christ by embracing the mission of unity of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She serves as the chair of the congregation's Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Group.

Call to action

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