This is a defining moment for Catholics.

For every execution carried out at Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, there will be a Catholic vigil at the prison that night to publicly stand for life and evangelize through our presence. These vigils are a response to Christ’s call to bring the Gospel to the world. They are a form of evangelization, proclaiming mercy, justice and the sanctity of life to a society in need of conversion; our prayer is a bulwark against the culture of death.

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Evangelization is more than words. It is a witness of faith in action. Attending an execution vigil is a way to live out the Gospel, to pray, to proclaim the Church’s teaching and change hearts. Imagine the impact of Catholics standing together in prayerful defiance of injustice. Our collective voice can influence public opinion, lawmakers and justice officials — but only when we show up.

The practice of keeping vigil is rooted in Scripture and Church history. Jesus often prayed at night alone and with others. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he famously urged his disciples to stay awake and pray with him, calling them to spiritual solidarity. The early Church and monastic communities carried this practice forward, using vigils as acts of intercession and penance. We continue this sacred tradition by standing outside Broad River in prayer, offering a visible witness to the Gospel and to life.

Pray

An execution vigil is a powerful act of faith. Participants pray for the victims’ families, the condemned and all affected by capital punishment. Scripture is read to proclaim God’s mercy and justice, followed by reflections on the dignity of human life. Our vigils include silent contemplation and honor the condemned as a child of God, made in his image and likeness. Prayerful presence is a public declaration of the Church’s unwavering opposition to the death penalty. It is an invitation to holiness — for those watching, passing by and even those administering the execution — to reconsider, reflect and be transformed.

Witness

A vigil is an act of evangelization. It is a testament to Christ’s commandment to love those deemed “unworthy.” It recalls Jesus’ challenge to those ready to execute a woman caught in sin: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7). By showing up, we declare that every person, regardless of their sin, is beloved of God. We become a visible sign of Christ’s mercy in a place where it is needed most.

South Carolina’s aggressive execution schedule means we cannot be passive. We are the Pilgrim Church, the Church Militant, the mystical body of Christ. Jesus’ truth in love must be seen and must be heard.

So, we need you at the next vigil. If you have never attended one, now is the time. If you have stood in vigil before, bring others with you. This is how hearts are changed, how the Gospel is proclaimed. Be a light in the darkness.

Join. Pray. Witness.

+ Four men have been put to death since November 2024: Freddie Owens, Richard Moore and Marion Bowman, Jr. were killed by lethal injection, while Brad Sigmon chose to die by firing squad. Contact Brian Hansen for information on the next vigil.