Sunday's rosary to pray for the family and friends of Tamara Dunstan was best described as a "rally of tears."
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A woman sits alone after a rosary service for Tamara Dunstan at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church. Mrs. Dunstan, three months pregnant with her first child, went missing Thursday. Her body was found in a shallow grave in rural Edgefield County on Sunday.
Kevin Martin/Staff
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Just 90 minutes after authorities announced that the 29-year-old expectant mother had been found dead, hundreds gathered at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church to take part in the traditional prayer service.
"We're overcome by the evil that has struck so close to home," the Rev. Jerry Ragan told those in attendance. "This is a rally of tears."
The church was going to say the rosary so that community members could pray for Mrs. Dunstan's safe return; once she was discovered dead, the Rev. Ragan said "immediately the family response was that there was greater need for prayer now than ever."
Church member Brian Mulherin offered comfort in his opening remarks to the crowd.
"The terrible waiting and anxiety is at least over," he said. "We pray now that her (Tamara) and her baby will have peace in heaven. And we pray for the family."
Earlier Sunday, during the 12:15 mass, the Rev. Benjamin Dallas announced what many parishioners had been praying not to hear - that Mrs. Dunstan was dead.
Congregants reacted with gasps and whispers, and the Rev. Dallas referred to Mrs. Dunstan's tragic death several times during his homily, saying the scripture readings on the divine mercy of God were appropriate for the emotions being felt that day.
In the 15 minutes between mass and the rosary, small clusters of people walked quietly to the front of the sanctuary to view a framed photo of the victim on her wedding day, June 28.
Then, during the rosary, one congregant read each of the five meditations from the joyful mysteries. Each recitation recounts an episode in Jesus Christ's life.
"The rosary is making a big bouquet of roses for whatever might be needed," Mr. Mulherin explained. "So we're really saying 50 prayers for the family and friends and loved ones."
The few family members of the deceased who did attend Sunday quietly embraced after the service.
The Rev. Ragan said he has been ministering to the shaken family as much as he can to help them cope with the tragedy.
"They're holding together. It's so tough to face something like this," he said. "The emotions are deep. She was just such a wonderful woman."
Staff writer Angela McConnell contributed to this article.
Reach Dena Levitz at (706) 823-3339 or dena.levitz@augustachronicle.com.
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