Share a vigil
Are you organizing a vigil? Let us know!
Organize a vigil
Download the free guide and the free graphic kit, to learn why organising a local vigil is easy
Find a vigil
Coming soon, an always growing database of the vigils
Interviews
A series. ofinterviews to pastors, experts, NGO leaders, courtesy of La Tenda di Gionata
Testimonies
Stories of faith and welcome that
illuminate the path towards more open and inclusive communities.
COMING SOON
The Vigils
Every May, churches and communities across the world pause together to pray in vigil.
The Vigils For the Overcoming of Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, are simple, but powerful gatherings of people who light a candle, say a prayer, and remember those hurt or lost due to homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. But they are also moments of shared joy, gratitude, and hope. They are not protests but acts of presence, of love, and invitations to believe that something better is possible.
The Story
The first vigil was held in 2007, after the suicide of Matteo, a sixteen-year-old boy from Turin who had endured daily bullying in silence. His death left behind a question: how could Church leaders remain silent? To break that silence a group of LGBT Christians in Florence lit a candle. That simple act began a movement. In that first year, 14 cities held vigils. Over time, the tradition has grown into a network of communities praying and remembering together.
The Verse
Every year a verse accompanies the vigils
An ecumenical and interconfessional commission proposes an initial selection of the biblical verses reported to us, followed by an online vote open to all.
For 2026, Isaiah 43.1 was chosen: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name“. Say “i called you by name“returns personal recognition. The verb “redeem” recalls the go’el, the one who intervenes to restore freedom and dignity. He doesn’t deny the pain, but says he doesn’t have the final say. It becomes a shared responsibility: call each other by name and say, with words and gestures, “don’t worry, you are not alone“.
A shared story
VIGILS ARE A COMMON JOURNEY
The vigils are born and grow as a shared journey, not as isolated initiatives. They born in the local communities, not as a centralised initiative. This is why it is important to report each vigil through the dedicated Form: it serves to make the network visible, update the map, coordinate the dates and offer support to the communities.
To Vigil
To vigil is to resist erasure.
It means refusing indifference,
affirming the dignity of those
who suffer violence or exclusion
because of who they are.
It is a way to say
we are still here.
We remember.
We hope.
GNRC and The Vigils
GNRC renews its collaboration with La Tenda di Gionata to support the international spread of the Vigils, bringing wider connections, more languages, and a shared commitment to building bridges between LGBT+ people of faith and Christian communities worldwide. This year, GNRC will also encourage the production of informative materials, community focused content, and broader dissemination to further strengthen the visibility and impact of the Vigils.
La Tenda di Gionata and The Vigils
Since 2007, the association La Tenda di Gionata has supported the Vigils in Italy by connecting local groups, sharing resources, offering logistical guidance, and helping the movement grow. It has created liturgical booklets, published testimonies, and coordinated communication between communities. Thanks to this ongoing effort, the Vigils have expanded, remained accessible, and welcomed people from diverse backgrounds and traditions.
But above all, the Vigils
belong to the community.
THE MANUAL
Organising a vigil is simpler than it may seem. It only takes a few people willing to gather and pray together. Whether you are three people in a small chapel or a larger community in a parish hall, every vigil carries the same dignity and meaning. What matters is not the size, but the intention and the act of coming together.
THE MANUAL
A free guide is available to help you understand the spirit of the vigil and to organise one in your own community. It offers practical steps, simple suggestions, and adaptable materials so you can shape the vigil according to your local context.
Visuals
Every year a free graphic kit is distributed to support local vigils. These materials include posters, social media visuals, and templates that can be downloaded and adapted by anyone organising a vigil.
REGISTER A VIGIL
Are you organizing a vigil? Let us know!
Quick Links
Graphic Kit
Every year, La Tenda di Gionata produces a free graphic kit to support local vigils. These materials are curated by artist Alessandro Ludovico Previti and include posters, social media visuals, and templates that can be downloaded and adapted by anyone organising a vigil.
Did we already tell you there is a free manual to learn how to organise a vigil?
Find your Vigil
Every May, cities across Italy and beyond join in prayer.
The 2025 list will be published soon and will expand in time. To signal a new vigil write to: progetti@gionata.org
From our blogs
Faith, rights and Spirit – The Vigil Prayers in Malta
Article by Tyrone Grima The Prayer Vigils, or as they are more commonly referred to in Malta, the IDAHOT celebrations, have been held on our islands for almost twenty years. Drachma, the local LGBTIQ+ NGO that focuses on the integration between sexuality and…
In Ireland, a Catholic Parish Holds Its First Vigil Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Article by Jo O’Sullivan On Friday, May 15th, in the Parish Hall of Kimmage Manor church, a Prayer Vigil was held for an end to violence against the LGBTQ+ community. This was not a great newsworthy event, or merited any fanfare. But for the Le Chéile LGBTQ+…
CSF prayer vigil
The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics’ Contemplative Spiritual Formation Committee warmly invites you to its bi-weekly contemplative gathering. This week, we will gather for a Prayer Vigil for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia,…