As dawn breaks at 6am on Holy Thursday, April 17, people will gather at St Mary’s Church Bairnsdale to commence 12 hours of prayer and silent reflection to show their compassion and support to the children, women and men in our community and the wider world who are suffering grief and sadness.
While at the church participants will be invited to pray, light a candle, tie a ribbon on the church fence or simply sit quietly in solidarity and quiet reflection.
The coloured ribbons acknowledge the suffering and grief people experience from personal abuse and domestic family violence. It is a symbolic gesture and publicly acknowledges our support for victims, survivors and their families who have experienced or continue to suffer from abuse.
The vigil is also a time when people can pray for peace in the world and a world where everyone lives with love.
St Mary’s Catholic community invites the wider community to come to the church anytime during the 12 hours to spend some time, short or long, in quiet reflection and prayer.
