On Wednesday the 14th February 2018 - in Parkland, Florida - the 19 year old Nikolas Cruz, previously expelled from the Majory Stoneman Douglas High School, armed he enters his former school and executes a mass shooting - 17 people were killed and 15 more were wounded.
On Wednesday14th of March, exactly one month after the terrible massacre, a Vigil Prayer took place in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere to remember all the victims.
The Prayer Vigil was promoted by the Community of Sant'Egidio and many young American students. Many were visibly moved, and weeped while hearing the names and ages of the victims. Those who faced this extreme violence sacrificing their lives to protect others, have been particularly remembered: like the teacher who stood between the murder and his classroom door where students were barricaded; or the young Chinese who fatally exposed himself to save his friends lives.
During the Kyrie Eleison sang by the choir, names and age of all the victims have been loudly read by two youngsters. A candle has been lit up next to the main altar for all, as a Easter gesture.
Don Angelo Romano said: “Among those who lost their lives in Florida, some reacted to evil with good, which is the best witness to understand the path we have to take. This is why we decided to perform an Easter gesture while still in Lent, and we ended our reflection with the words of Martin Luther King, when he said that responding to hatred with hate is like chasing darkness with darkness. Nowadays there is the need of light".
