 "Photo: Phoebe Sexton")
Four years after members of the Boston University community gathered on Marsh Plaza to honor victims of the 9/11 attacks, a group of students and faculty gathered again in the same place Tuesday night to light candles and recite prayers in honor of victims of Hurricane Katrina. Marsh Chapel Associate Dean Rev. James Olson coordinated the event.
"It is an opportunity for the community to gather to express hope, grief, lament - all of those things," he said. "The university does not gather for these things often. The last time we hosted something like this was after September 11th."
Dean of Marsh Chapel Rev. Robert Neville, along with other BU religious leaders, spoke at the multi-denominational vigil. Rev. Sakena Young-Scaggs expressed words of hope for the future of the Gulf Coast.
"We take pause together not only for the living and survivors but also for those whose survival was not an option," she said as she addressed the crowd.
The vigil included speakers from various religious venues on campus, like the Hillel House and Marsh Chapel.
"Lament and grief and expressions of hope are universal," Olson said.
Rabbi Joseph Polak said it was a tragedy that such a culturally unique area in America was left in ruins.
"There's something about New Orleans that's deep and different," he said as students stood on the plaza.
College of Arts and Sciences senior Catrina Shivers noted her involvement with the Inner Strength Gospel Choir, a program through Marsh Chapel.
"It's important for the BU community, especially since we have Tulane students here, to show we care," she said. "We can't really understand, but we can empathize."
CAS sophomore Tracie Faulk donated to the Red Cross after seeing the tragedy on television, but still came to support the cause at the vigil.
"I just wanted to help any way I could and lend some support," she said.
Other students came because they knew people who were directly affected by Katrina.
"I believe it's important for all to come out and support the victims of recent events," College of Communication senior Jason Jordan-Griffin said. "I have two great aunts who were in the New Orleans area who haven't yet been located and I also have friends who were at Xavier and Tulane."
COM junior Christine McCall, who also knows friends in the Gulf Coast area, said she anticipated a larger turnout than the 60 people, but was glad she attended.
"I got here late," she said. "But I was expecting more people, so that was kind of disappointing, but I liked what was said about trying to see joy through the sorrow."
Others attended with the Sept. 11 vigil in mind.
"I attended the September 11th vigil four years ago and it was a very spiritually satisfying event," School of Education alumna Kara Coffey said.
Prayers and moments of silence were held for the victims and collection baskets were available to those wishing to donate, although the event was not meant to be a fundraiser. According to Olson, all proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
The Office of Religious Life brought the idea of the vigil to the Office of the Dean of Students, and together it was decided that the Office of Religious Life would host the event, Olson said.
Be the first to comment on this article!