source = The Dorothea Project-Cleveland
Lamentations and Light: Solidarity Witness for Justice for Immigrants
This vigil is offered in solidarity with The Dorothea Project, a growing movement of women called to live their faith out loud, inspired by the faithful witness of Dorothy Day (whose cause for sainthood was endorsed by the US bishops in 2012) and Sister Thea Bowman (whose cause for sainthood was endorsed by the US bishops in 2018).
Our local witness is being organized to coincide with the “Our Lady of Sorrows” advocacy day that The Dorothea Project is holding on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. and its sojourn/lobby day in DC on Tuesday, September 15, 2026--"Our Lady of Sorrows". The Dorothea Project was born out of the compassion young mothers throughout the US feel for immigrant mothers and families--knowing that ICE is ripping mothers away from their babies and children, and detaining pregnant women in deplorable and inhumane conditions.
On Saturday, Sep 12, we will vigil in solidarity with those participating in the national advocacy day. After a brief meditative walk to Market Square (1979 West 25th Street at Lorain Ave), we will light candles to honor those suffering in immigration detention, calling by names those who have died this year in ICE custody. We will have postcards write messages to our congressional representatives that we will later deliver to local congressional district offices.
TIME
4:30 PM- to make signs before the vigil walk, meet at Evangeline's at 3228 Lorain Ave.
5:30 -meditative walk from Evangeline's to Market Square.
5:45- Welcome and Statement of Purpose
6:00 -Ritual to set up and light candles and remember those who the US is detaining, those detained and tortured in other places, those incarcerated in the US, those on death row in the US and throughout the world, children criminalized for flying kites in Gaza, all who suffer injustice
6:15 - Songs
6:30 - Statement: Justice is the communal word for love. We are commanded to love our neighbors; that means to do justice for them.
6:45 - Lamentations and Light ceremony
7:00 - Mediation read from Maha Ghosananda (Cambodian Buddhist monk). Building Courage to challenge injustice.
7:15 - Postcards to US representatives and other elected officials
7:30 - Closing--Song
Closing note:
Peace cannot exist without justice. Peace is a byproduct of justice. Justice is a byproduct of compassion. Thus, Maha Ghosananda's mediation:
The suffering of [of our people] has been deep.
From this suffering comes Great Compassion.
Great Compassion makes a peaceful heart.
A peaceful heart makes a peaceful person.
A peaceful person makes a peaceful family.
A peaceful family makes a peaceful community.
A peaceful community makes a peaceful nation.
A peaceful nation makes a peaceful world.
May all beings live in Happiness and Peace
