Candlelight vigil

A candlelight vigil or candlelit vigil or candlelight service is an outdoor assembly of people carrying candles, held after sunset in order to pray, show support for a specific cause, or remember the dead, in which case, the event is often called a candlelight memorial.^[1]

Such events may be held to protest the suffering of some marginalized group of people. A large candlelight vigil may have invited speakers with a public address system and may be covered by local or national media. Speakers give their speech at the beginning of the vigil to explain why they are holding a vigil and what it represents.^[2] Vigils may also have a religious purpose that contains prayer and fasting.^[1] On Christmas Eve many churches hold a candlelight vigil.

Candlelight vigils are seen as a nonviolent way to raise awareness of a cause and to motivate change, as well as uniting and supporting those attending the vigil.^[3]

^ ^a ^b Shields, Bruce E.; Butzu, David Alan (2007). Generations of Praise: The History of Worship. College Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-89900-941-4.
^ "Do Something: how to organise a vigil". Retrieved 28 December 2012.
^ "love to know: Organise a candlelight vigil". Retrieved 28 December 2012.

[ShieldsButzu2007-1] Shields, Bruce E.; Butzu, David Alan (2007). Generations of Praise: The History of Worship. College Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-89900-941-4.

[2] "Do Something: how to organise a vigil". Retrieved 28 December 2012.

[lovetoknow-3] "love to know: Organise a candlelight vigil". Retrieved 28 December 2012.

[1]

[2]

[3]