Boston vigil honours victims of marathon bombings

The city that prays together, stays together.

So it seemed on the grass of the Boston Common Tuesday at a dusk vigil where thousands gathered to pray and weep, but mostly sing, a day after a bomb attack disrupted Monday’s Boston Marathon.

The gathering was decidedly young, mostly women in their teens and 20s. A choir standing on the Parkman Bandstand led the crowd through stirring versions of You Raise Me Up, America the Beautiful and The Star-Spangled Banner.

Attendees were invited to sign a banner that read: Peace, Here and Everywhere. One by one, people got down on knees to write messages such as, “I love this city, God Bless America,” “Stay Strong Boston” and “Keep Running.”

Many carried lit candles in paper cups, others held roses. In the distance, church bells chimed to the tune of America the Beautiful.

There was strength in numbers.

“I feel that creating a community is the best thing we can do in the face of adversity,” said Sonja Banaszczyk, 22, of Boston. “It’s important that we combat fear with love, and doing it publicly really affirms that we stand together against violence.”

After the choir finished, individuals in the crowd broke in voice, leading a chorus of Amazing Grace and Hey Jude.

The vigil was one of several being held in Boston and the outlying communities this week.