Survivor Support News

VOTF Lenten Watch in Boston, MA
Reported by Stephen A. Sheehan

"And Jesus said, "My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Remain here, and keep watch."

From Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, every day of the Lenten Season from noon to three p.m. and regardless of weather, a handful of the faithful, true to their baptismal inheritance, their innate sense of moral values, and the calling that they have discerned from the Holy Spirit, stood in solidarity with all the suffering children of God who have been abused by clergy and neglected by bishops charged with their care. The message of this VOTF Lenten Watch was a message of love, compassion, truth, and accountability. The aim was to remind the Archdiocesan staff that healing is far from complete and that the road to go is much farther than the road thus far traveled.

This Watch was inspired by the vigil conducted two years ago by survivor Steven Lynch when he stood in this same place by himself on behalf of survivors everywhere. The idea for a Lenten Watch came from the VOTF Working Group on Survivor issues. The group saw this as a way to demonstrate to the Archdiocese of Boston that healing cannot be claimed by merely conducting a series of prayer sessions within the archdiocese attended primarily by the faithful and exclusive of our wounded brothers and sisters. The participants were primarily members of VOTF and came from many different affiliates around the Archdiocese. Some came for one day, some for more. Others were there in spirit due to other commitments. But, regardless of their names and numbers, the spirit of truth, love and compassion was palpable in front of the Chancery on a daily basis.

A Book of Remembrance was maintained in which the participants recorded their presence and their thoughts and prayers as they kept watch. It is available for viewing in the VOTF office in Newton, MA and will be available at the VOTF Mass of Rededication and Reconsecration on May 20 at St. Ignatius Church, Chestnut Hill, MA.

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