On the tour for their album “Honest,” The Vigil Project, whose mission is to make music for the Catholic journey, stopped at Loyola for a performance in the resident quad.
“Honest” was created with the intention of making music about encountering Jesus in the midst of chaos, according to the group’s event manager, Andrew Ferguson.
“Oftentimes there’s so many things that can serve as distractions or things that take away from our ability to encounter Jesus,” he said. “And the goal was to share that truth and the heart of the album with college students.”
Senior Melissa Moore, who primarily plays violin, was the group’s opener.
“It’s really cool that we’re promoting a community that can be built around creativity, especially when it’s infused with faith, hope, and the Jesuit values,” she said. “We’re just really encouraging joy among the students.”
Ferguson said one of The Vigil Project’s goals is to rediscover the gift of music and what our Lord is calling us to within that gift.
Senior Bevin Kelley said she felt something enter her soul at the performance.
“All live music is really good, but this was like an out-of-body experience,” she said. “This was way different from sitting in Mass or sitting in adoration.”
Ferguson said he hopes the concert was a small reminder for students that in the very small moments of their days where they feel love from a friend, experience joy in a hobby, or are moved by a piece of art that they recognize that it’s an encounter with the Lord and a reminder to return to Him.
“Even if you’re not Catholic or you’re not Christian, listening to different bands that you don’t normally listen to can get you in touch with a side of yourself that you may not be used to,” Kelley said. “And maybe the Lord can reach you or maybe you just find some new tunes.”
