In Honor of “Our Lives Matter” – Candlelight Vigil and Speak Out

Seeing all of you here tonight gives me hope. Hearing your voices and resonating with your stories gives me chills. Knowing that there are so many people within our community who are just as concerned and ready for action as I gives me strength. As we stand here gathered around the statue of St. Ignatius, the founder of Loyola University as well as the Jesuit society, I am reminded of why I was so willing to put myself into debt up to my eyeballs instead of being paid to attend a state school back home—the Jesuit mission.

Of the 12 Jesuit ideals, there are 5 in particular that assured me that I made the right decision in choosing to attend this unique university: Respect for the world, its history and mystery; Contemplative vision formed by Hope; Commitment to Service; Linking Faith with Justice; and Special Concern for the Poor and Oppressed. With these ideals in mind, along with the stated mission of the Loyola community, “to become conscious of the achievements and failures of all human history, particularly those of their own culture and time,”I am confident that we, as a community, are not only capable, but destined to enact powerful, positive, and lasting change. The work will not be easy, but together we can make a difference.

In closing, I’d like to thank you all for coming out tonight, and remind you that we will be having more events in the spring. If you are interested in helping to any future events, please feel free to stay and talk to one of us! I encourage you all to continue the fight for Justice over the holidays, and in the words of our beloved Iggy, “Go forth and set the world on fire.”

Loyola New Orleans student, Angel M. Pittman
Junior, Chemistry/Forensic Science Major