MONTREAL -- Family, friends and perfect strangers came together Saturday at a memorial for the Chinese exchange student murdered and dismembered in a horrific case that captured the world’s attention.

The group was led in a service Montreal Chinese Alliance Church dedicated to praying for peace for Lin Jun and his family.

The program included a mix of songs hymns as well as a sermon.

Lin’s mother wept and needed support to hold her up and as revealed how difficult the ordeal has been for her.

 "He was taken so fast," Zhigui Du said in Mandarin, and an interpreter translated into French. "When a child dies, a parent's heart dies too."

Lin’s family has been in Montreal for the past month and they have said they will stay for the duration of the trial of the man charged in connection with their son’s killing -- Luka Rocco Magnotta.

Concordia University has raised $70,000 for the family, $24,000 of which came from the Chinese student association alone. The money is to help with the costs associated with the family staying here for the extent of the trial that is to take place in early March.

In her lengthy address at the church, Du said her only son loved Canada, and was a peaceful man "who loved people and animals." Du also spoke of the evolution of her own faith, and said she had found some solace since getting baptized in Montreal last week.

"Today, we pray for peace in Montreal," she said, thanking the local congregation for helping organize the memorial.

"It's because of you that the community was brought together."

Lin, 33, was killed in late May.

Magnotta was charged with the murder and has pleaded not guilty to various charges, including first-degree murder. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for next March.

Pastor Thomas Chan said the killing was a tragedy not only for the Lin family, but for all of Montreal and Canada.

"It would be irresponsible to look for quick answers, and try to give the Lin family a quick fix," he said in a sermon.

A private funeral has been scheduled for Lin next Thursday in Montreal.
 

With a report from The Canadian Press