St. Monica’s hosts vigil for victims of gun violence

More than 60 parishioners and community members gathered at St. Monica Church, Santa Monica on Dec. 13 to pray for peace during the parish’s Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence.

Led by Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, pastor of St. Monica’s, the vigil honored loved ones lost due to gun violence with a bell-ringing ceremony. The names of local deceased victims were read outloud as the bells were rung, and photos of several victims and their stories were on display. 

The national vigil was launched following the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012 that left 26 people dead, including 20 children. Dec. 14 marked the third anniversary of the school shooting. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy, an estimated 90,000 more Americans have died from gun violence, according to a press release from St. Monica’s.