SAN ANTONIO – As the presidential inauguration aired on many televisions across San Antonio, the event brought on a full spectrum of emotions. At the Our Lady of the Lake Annunciation Chapel, the mood was spiritual and decidedly non-partisan.
"The divisions among people in the country are pretty deep and strong, and we wanted to pray,” explained Sister Ann Petrus, general superior of the Sisters of Divine Providence.
The service of prayer for Inauguration Day was something the sisters felt was needed.
"We've come through difficult times throughout our history and my hope is that we can do that again,” Petrus said.
Meanwhile, a ceremony of another kind near downtown marked a far different tone.
"Today is not a day to celebrate,” said Jonathan Ryan, executive director of the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, or RAICES.
A group gathered at the location for what they called a healing ceremony.
"We know that there are going to be great challenges to free speech to freedom of assembly to immigrants to LGBT community and ethnic and religious minorities,” Ryan said.
"We are just fighting against that bigotry, misogyny and all of the things that are bringing us down ... separating us as a people,” attendee Abril Garcia-Linn said.
At St. Phillips College, an inauguration watch party brought together students and staff. However, the overall theme was directed away from Friday’s events, with Dr. Adena Williams-Loston, the college’s president, delivering this message: “Leadership and making a difference in the lives of others is what is most important, and it doesn't start necessarily in the White House and Oval Office."