Date: May 19, 2026
One of the most meaningful experiences I have had this year in working with the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice was attending a prayer vigil, along with a group of VTS students, outside the ICE headquarters in Washington DC. The vigil was hosted by Pax Christi USA, a Roman Catholic peace group, in collaboration with several ecumenical Christian organizations, and scheduled on the feast day of St. Óscar Romero. We came together at the end of the work day, as federal agents were leaving the office for the day, to pray for those who have been killed by ICE over the past year and to pray for the turning of the hearts of those who work for ICE.
The vigil did not stop ICE from continuing its campaign of terror. It did not directly fix anything. On the surface, it could be seen as a waste of a Tuesday afternoon during a busy time of year. And yet, of all of the protests I’ve been to recently (which is not a small number), this felt like it mattered the most. The prayers that were said were incredibly earnest, often tearful, and directed to a God who felt very close. I don’t know if the hearts of any of the ICE agents were changed, and I will never know, but I do know that being there, my own heart was both broken and changed. I believe that prayer matters and has real effect, and am grateful for the ways that the Center for Faith and Justice has created opportunities for VTS students to engage in faithful public witness that touches both us and the communities around us.
Rev. Gabriel Oakes, MDiv
Saint Nicholas Fellow
2026 MDiv Graduate