Loving vigil: Family members, community mourn murdered loved ones

Following the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ annual Mass for Victims and Survivors of Violence Sept. 30 at St. Louis Cathedral, those who lost loved ones to murder or who wanted to express their solidarity with the victims prayed in front of holy water-spotted family portraits.

 
In his homily, Archbishop Gregory Aymond urged the faithful to pray for peace and to help steer would-be criminals away from the cycle of anger, resentment and revenge.

“Wherever there is violence; wherever there is murder; wherever there is racism, it is never the will of God. This is not God’s dream for us,” Archbishop Aymond said.