St. Vincent to Hold Festival of Lights Prayer Service to Honor Lives Lost during COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the first case of the novel coronavirus presented itself in Montana last spring, our state has seen the tragic loss of nearly 1,200 Montanans and over 90,000 cases. Those who have passed away from the virus were husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends and much more — all who touched the lives of many.

On February 2, 2021, St. Vincent Healthcare will hold a Festival of Lights Prayer Service to honor and remember the nearly 200 lives we have lost due to COVID-19 within the walls of our hospital. The service will also recognize our caregivers who are fulfilling our mission to serve the poor and vulnerable — even when they themselves may have felt poor and vulnerable at times, and to provide hope for our community as we look to the future and celebrate all who have recovered from the
novel coronavirus.

Bishop Michael Warfel of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings will provide the prayer of invocation and a blessing of the candles of faith, hope and love during the service. “Since COVID-19’s spread to our community last spring, nearly 200 families have had to say goodbye to their loved ones in a hospital room at St. Vincent,” said St. Vincent and SCL Health
Montana President, Steve Loveless. “During this time of such grief and sorrow, we are reminded that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves and are called to serve in ways that surpass  anything we can do alone. As we honor the lives of those we have lost through the pandemic, our mission has never felt more vital as we continue to reveal and foster God’s healing love to all those we serve.”

The Festival of Lights prayer service will be held on February 2, 2021 at 2 p.m. in the chapel at St. Vincent Healthcare. The public is invited to view the service LIVE on the St. Vincent Healthcare Facebook page. Local news outlets are invited to attend in-person and are asked to arrive by 1:50 p.m.

White flags will be displayed on the front lawn of St. Vincent Healthcare to commemorate the lives of our patients who have passed away from COVID-19 while hospitalized at St. Vincent.

 

St. Vincent Healthcare