A small, dimly-lit room in the corner of Rodin College House offered a haven last night for students trying to cope with Monday's tragic shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
As the news of the massacre began to sink in, Penn student groups rushed to organize vigils and prayer services in an effort to pay their respects to the Blacksburg community.
"It was intended to be a quiet place for students amid the hustle and bustle of academic life to have a quick moment to pray or meditate," said Rodin House Dean Kenneth Grcich, who organized the service at the college house. "This has affected everybody."
A few blocks away, 100 people gathered at St. Agatha-St. James Catholic Church to participate in an interfaith service to pray for the 33 victims.
The event, sponsored by Penn's Newman Center, featured speakers from local religious institutions and musical performances by the Church choir.
"We got an e-mail this morning from our chaplain directors, and they requested the help of Penn Newman students to welcome those who would be joining us," said College sophomore Elizabeth DiIulio, vice president of Penn's Newman Council
"I'm glad that we could gather as an interfaith and interschool community to mourn for the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy," she added.
During the prayer services, questions arose about God's presence during difficult times of tragedy.
"A lot of people have been asking, 'How can a loving God have allowed something like this to happen?'" College senior Laura Hughes said. But "it wasn't God who did this. It was a person."
Other speakers at the service focused on the power of faith in the healing process.
Rev. Joseph Cistone from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said religious and civic leaders "join with the students, faculty, administrator, parents and the entire community of Virginia Tech to ask God's assistance in dealing with the pain, confusion and fear that seems so overwhelming."
"We pray they will find their eternal rest," he said. "We cannot fathom the depth of the remorse and grief."
Imam Rodney Muhammad crafted a metaphor to help attendants with their emotions.
"In a relay race, when someone gives up the baton, they give it to someone else," he said. "We cannot lay down our duty to civilization. If we truly are good people, then let those that live pick up the baton and keep running their race."
Other memorial services will continue across campus throughout the rest of the week.
Harrison College House will hold a question-and-answer session at 5 p.m. today, and students will be able to talk with Counseling and Psychological Services representatives.
There will also be a campus-wide candlelight vigil, hosted by student groups in collaboration with the Chaplain's office and the Vice Provost of University Life, on College Green tomorrow at 9 p.m.
- Staff writer Mordechai Treiger contributed reporting to this article.
