On August 28, Bogota’s historic Bolívar Square was the site of a large demonstration of faith and solidarity for the victims of the earthquake that struck Colombia on the 10th.

Titled “Prayer for Colombia – Great Vigil for the Victims and Families Affected by the Earthquake”, the event was organized by the National Government through the Chaplaincy of the Presidency of the Republic and was supported by the Colombian Episcopal Conference.

From the early hours of the day, the venue received donations intended for the affected communities. In the evening, candles, hymns, and prayers marked the national gathering.

Comfort and Hope

The President of the Republic, Abelardo De La Espriella, and First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda participated in the ceremony, along with the Vice President, ministers, and other national and local officials.

In her remarks, the First Lady highlighted the solidarity shown by Colombians and expressed gratitude for the mobilization in support of the families affected by the tragedy.

More than just a tribute to those who lost their lives, the event sought to bring comfort to the bereaved families and hope to the communities facing the difficult process of reconstruction.

According to the Colombian Ministry of Culture, people of different faiths and political views came together around a shared purpose of solidarity and national unity.

In one of the country’s most iconic squares, the prayer thus became a public expression of brotherhood in the face of grief: a people gathered to remember their dead, support those who are suffering, and ask God for the strength to rebuild what the earthquake destroyed.

Photo Credit: Jesse Arce

Colombia Unites in Prayer for the Earthquake Victims