Share the Vigil: Frequently Asked Questions
(As of 7/8/21)
Grounded in ancient practice, remote vigil-keeping is a way to bear witness and extend ultimate kindness to ALL dead — near and far, whether named or unknown.
"We need to understand we are not immortal, none of us is immortal. The virus ultimately returns to us this dimension of fragility." —Don Mario Carminati, Italy
NYC Disaster Morgue, Brooklyn, NY. Photo Credit: Brendan Mcdermid / Reuters
Accompanying the unclaimed dead is a supreme spiritual imperative. When hundreds of bodies in NYC alone still lie in freezer trucks while the U.S. pandemic death toll rises past 600,000 — and the global death toll past 4 million — we cannot restrict our caring attention only to the well-connected and well-loved.
One of the beauties of vigil-keeping is that we can bear witness simultaneously to the COVID-19 dead, victims of violent hatred, and ALL of our imperatives to mourn AND organize. Over the past 460 days and counting, a diverse network of volunteers across faith traditions, generations and time zones has been keeping vigil at regular hours around the clock.
We warmly welcome you to join us!*
1) Who can participate?
We are bearing witness and honoring the dead across cultures. Vigil-keepers of all backgrounds and creeds are welcome — with full respect for our diversity of faith and non-faith traditions, and with the clear understanding that no one will be proselytized or converted in any way. Vigil-keeping is an intergenerational effort, and those just coming of age are welcome to sit with someone older.
2) How do I get there? Do I need a computer link? Will I see bodies or caskets?
This is a remote vigil, from your home or wherever you are sheltering in place. No computer access is necessary. What you see will depend primarily on your discretion and imagination. You may choose to sit facing the direction of the nearest hospital, a window or door, a chosen photograph or other image. Find a place that you can sit quietly for an hour, and start from there.
3) How much time do I need to commit?
Most individuals and groups have joined us with weekly commitments. To ease coordination logistics, we ask for a minimum commitment of ONE regular hour per week. We are grateful to a few daily / nightly vigil-keepers who have recently passed the torch after sitting regularly for many months.
Our goal is to honor the dead continuously around the clock. We are currently keeping vigil for 31 out of 168 hours per week. As one of our volunteers commented, "I think if we did get [full weekly coverage], the Earth would shift."
To sustain vigil-keeper connections, please let us know whatever day and time you have chosen to sit — as well as if and when your schedule commitment changes.
4) What should I be doing during my vigil hour?
Some of our veteran vigil-keepers have shared their experiences here. Vigils can be kept alone or shared, sitting in mindful silence or singing, playing musical instruments, chanting sacred texts or reading other appropriate material. Your focus and experience are likely to change from day to day.
Those who already maintain a regular meditation practice are welcome to include this vigil in their practice. If you would like further guidance or suggestions, please contact us.
We hold periodic online vigil-keeper gatherings to debrief and share experiences. These meetings are open to all volunteers who keep the vigil for at least one hour per week.
5) Shouldn't we be working for change instead of just sitting there? What about “Don't mourn, organize”?
“Don’t mourn, organize!” abbreviates a telegram of immigrant labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill before his execution in 1915 — but his final words actually expressed concern about what would happen to his body. At these times of crisis, when so many of us face deep questions about how to be most effective, the capacity to sit quietly for an hour to honor the dead can help us continue to clarify our priorities for engaged action on behalf of the living.
6) How long will we be doing this?
Each of us will need to answer this question for ourselves. We don't know how long this pandemic will last. We encourage you to let us know if and when your schedule and commitments change, so that we can thank you and offer any debriefing that may be supportive.
Pausing to find stillness at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of our busy days, we can continue to honor all those whose deaths intimately connect us with our own humanity. For some of us, this may be part of a lifelong process.
7) Yes, but _______?!
If you have read this far, there may be something in this opportunity that speaks to you. Please write to SharetheVigil@gmail.com with any further questions or concerns — as well as to join the vigil if you feel ready.
Thank you for considering this imperative of ultimate kindness. Your caring presence means more than anyone can ever say.
Ar Hyd y Nos / All Through the Night
Original Welsh poem by John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-1887)
New singable English rendering lovingly dedicated
to all the dead, survivors, and vigil-keepers everywhere
All the eyelids of the stars say—
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
“Vale of glory beckons this way”
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
Suffering at these times is winter
Yet to beautify life further
We’ll put our weak light together
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
* “Share the Vigil” is a How to Mourn AND Organize initiative of WAYS OF PEACE. For more information, please visit Share the Vigil. To support or join the vigil, please write to SharetheVigil@gmail.com.