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Lights of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil To Honor Labor and Sacrifice of Individuals Enslaved by Jesuits and SLU

01/28/2025

As part of Black History Month, Saint Louis University will host Lights of Remembrance, the first candlelight vigil to formally honor the lives of enslaved individuals who helped build and sustain the University and other Jesuit missions in Missouri from 1823 to 1865.

The vigil, organized and led by SLU graduate student Sam Hall in partnership with the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved (DSLUE), will include the lighting of candles, moments of silence and shared reflections.

“This vigil is important to me because it’s a chance to honor the humanity and contributions of the enslaved, amplify the voices of their descendants, and take a meaningful step toward truth, justice, and healing within our SLU community,” Hall said. 

Scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, the vigil will take place in the auditorium of SLU’s Center for Global Citizenship. The event is free and open to the public. 

“The Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved (DSLUE) families are humbled and honored to stand alongside these allies as we continue the work of truth-telling, remembrance and reparative justice,” said Robin Proudie, founder and executive director of DSLUE.

The event is supported by SLU’s Black Student Alliance, Department of African American Studies, Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement (DICE), and Department of Campus Ministry.

“This is a remarkable time to be reconciling our history as an institution that engaged in the sins of slavery alongside the descendants of those who were enslaved,” said Rochelle Smith, SLU’s vice president for diversity and innovative community engagement. 

“We are committed to supporting our SLU communities as we all engage in the process of truth, healing and reconciliation and appreciate the opportunity to support student efforts like those Sam is leading.”

Event Details