Light shone through the darkness Wednesday night.

More than 110 students, faculty and members of the community gathered for song, scripture and candlelight prayer for Eastern student Shannon McNamara at the Newman Catholic Center.

“Candles are a sign of light, and light is a wonderful thing. The presence of God is light,” the Rev. Chris Brey of the Newman Catholic Center said. “These are days of extreme emotion. When you are feeling upset and you are not seeing the light, remember you are standing on the rock of Jesus.”

McNamara was murdered June 12, 2001. The vigil took place during a time when many close to the victim are struggling through the beginning of the capital murder trial in Coles County Circuit Court.

The Rev. Brey presented Cindy and Bob McNamara, Shannon’s parents, each with a rock to keep in their pocket as a reminder they stand on the rock of Jesus. He spoke of light as being a sign of hope for justice in the future. Already, he said a victory happened in court Wednesday, referring to the Judge Dale Cini’s ruling to allow testimony the defense objected to hearing.

“This evening we’ve prayed for justice and wisdom, for the judge and jury and for healing for the McNamaras’, the Alpha Phi’s and all of those who are touched by Shannon’s life, for she remains a constant light,” Brey said.

At the ceremony, participants individually lit their candles, formed a circle and joined together in prayer.

“Light is such a beautiful and powerful symbol. Take this candle and light it knowing the light continues to pervade in our heart,” Brey said. “Pray for justice and peace.”

“It just seems that the power of prayer — it’s like strength in numbers,” Bob McNamara said after the service. “It was like therapy for me. It’s hard for me when I see kids her age; it just hurts. I wanted to do it for the family.”

Roy Lanham, director of the Newman Catholic Center, addressed those in attendance, saying they prayed for the family and friends of Shannon, her memory, wisdom and justice of the trial, healing and forgiveness of God and healing and strength for family and friends.

“We are gathered here after three hard days for family and friends reliving a moment of evil, to remember the goodness Shannon was,” Lanham said.

A representative from Alpha Phi, the sorority to which Shannon belongs, recited a poem capturing Shannon’s successes throughout high school and college with athletics and in her love for people, her family and sisters of Alpha Phi. The poem also shared Shannon’s compassion as a good listener and in helping children with down syndrome.

Comments Shannon’s father said people have made to him support Shannon’s good qualities.

“I have a guardian angel in my pocket,” McNamara said.

McNamara said many people who never met Shannon have spoken to the McNamaras’ about their daughter, and interim President Lou Hencken told him “‘I never met your daughter, but there is not a day I don’t think about her.'”

McNamara said the first time there was a service in Charleston for Shannon a man approached him and said he had never met Shannon, but he had heard so many good things about her he had to come to the service.

“She obviously was a special person who has impacted a lot of people. I didn’t know her, but I think it’s important for us all to show support for her family and friends,” Kerry Curran, a sophomore psychology major, said.

Hencken said: “There is tribute to her life in the number of people that came on such a cold night to show support. People are not going to forget what she meant to them and their lives.”

Some public figures in attendance at the service included Charleston Police Chief Ted Ghibellini, Charleston Detective Kevin Paddock and Bob Dudolski, director of greek life.