BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The Love and Light ceremony offered community members a space to grieve and remember loved ones during the holiday season.
The event started in 2023 by Joe and Desiree Martinez. The couple shared that this event started after the loss of their daughter, Johann, and they wanted the community to come together and support one another.
People had the opportunity to honor their loved ones at the annual Love and Light ceremony in Downtown Bryan.(KBTX)
Cody and Tabitha Browne have attended the event since it began in 2023. Tabitha said this event helps her honor her twin sister.
“So, we actually went to the very first love and light vigil back in 2023, which was the same year I lost my sister,” she said. “We were really excited to have this event to come together as a community and remember our loved ones.”
The Sauseda family said they have attended the vigil for the past few years. Sabina Sauseda honored her husband and his strong faith and shared a message he left for her and their daughter Aaliyah.
“He was like I need you guys to stay grounded in His word, and you’re going to need Him – when it gets hard, you’re going to need to lean on Him because He’s the one who’s going to get you guys through,” Sabina commented.
Ruth Morales said the event helped her cope with the loss of her husband and provided her and her daughter support during the holidays.
“When family is gone and we get back home, that’s where it’s hard, especially on the holidays and so we made a point to be here and we enjoyed it,” Morales remarked.
Event organizers Joe and Desiree Martinez said the ceremony started as a family tradition to look at lights in downtown Bryan and now serves the grieving community each year.
“We opened it up to the grieving community that way they can come and light a candle in remembrance of them,” Joe and Desiree Martinez explained.
The Martinez family hopes this event will continue to offer support for the community during the grieving process.
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