|
Banner Day for Life March
By Stefanie Gutierrez
Joining tens of thousands from across the nation, parish and youth groups from the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens traveled to the 35th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 22.
CNS Photo
The theme for this year’s March was “Build Unity on the Life Principles throughout America. No Exception! No Compromise!”
The March is held each year on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that opened the door to legalized abortion.
Young people made up significant numbers of the marchers, while faces of older generations dotted the crowd. Many families brought their children or grandchildren.
The step-off was at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, after a morning rally that featured prominent pro-life speakers from across the nation.
Stefanie Gutierrez Photos
Twenty-four American bishops, including Eastern Rite Bishop Paul Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron in Brooklyn, were introduced to the crowd that stood braving the cold temperatures in the 20s.
A 10 a.m. Rally for Youth and Life Mass that drew 25,000 was held at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington. Many were turned away because the venue had filled. Cardinals, bishops and priests from across the country concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., who was the main celebrant.
Local H.S. Participation
The diocesan Office of Faith Formation participated in the event by offering a two-day, one-night trip to the capital that was open to all high school youth in the diocese. About 130 students and seminarians made the trip, which was also co-sponsored by the Diocese’s Office of Government Affairs.
Their itinerary centered on the March, but also planned visits to various monuments in the nation’s capital and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. The group also attended the 8 p.m. Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Monday evening.
“The idea of the overnight trip is to teach the students leadership by actively participating in a cause we believe in,” Robin Lynn, diocesan coordinator for Respect Life Education, said. “It enhances their knowledge of our government as well as our Church.”
Marchers filled the width of Constitution Ave. up past the Capitol Building and to the steps of the Supreme Court. As thousands of groups marched by, more than 100 of the Brooklyn Diocese’s youth and seminarians were easily identifiable by their bright blue fleece hats with the diocesan crest in the center.
“You see so many different people, but we all have the same belief in common,” said Janett Perez, a senior at Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst. “The right to life is important. The unborn have a right… to have a birthday, to be loved, to be taken care of.”
This was Perez’s second year attending the two-day trip, and she said the “whole experience of the March has changed my life.”
Forty-nine million babies have been killed by abortion in the U.S. since the Roe v. Wade decision. Many of the youth there commented on the staggering reality that one-third of their generation is gone. A number of people had taped the word “LIFE” across their mouths. A spokesperson explained they did so to represent the “voiceless” – the babies who have been victims of abortion.
“Life – and our seven children – keep us coming every year,” said Donald and Jeanne Sautner from St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor.
“Even in such a huge crowd, we know two people make a difference… Whether if it is at this March or when we go to vote,” Jeanne added.
They came for a day-trip that included 30 more delegates from six parishes in the Far Rockaway and Howard Beach areas. They included parishioners of St. Rose of Lima, St. Francis de Sales, St. Helen, Our Lady of Grace and St. Camillus parishes. Their bus left Queens after they celebrated a 6 a.m. Mass at St. Francis de Sales.
“We are encouraged to be here to give witness and to give hope,” Marianne Cardinale from St. Luke, Whitestone, said.
A second bus from Queens arrived at the March with 54 parishioners from St. Luke, Whitestone; St. Joan of Arc, Jackson Heights; and Holy Family, Flushing. They had celebrated a 5:30 a.m. Mass at St. Luke’s.
Cardinale marched with her friend Marie Heaney, who said she attends every year to “stand for life, and to soon revert the law that says we can kill the innocent unborn. If we are persistent, perhaps we will live to see that law changed.”
Things Must Change
In his homily at a Jan. 21 evening Mass that opened the annual National Prayer Vigil for Life, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia said that Roe v. Wade “will not stand.”
“Roe v. Wade is incompatible with human dignity,” said Cardinal Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “It must not stand. It cannot stand. It will not stand.”
His declaration drew applause from the packed Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. It was one of five times that the cardinal’s remarks during his homily were met with applause.
Cardinal Rigali, echoing the New Testament reading from First Corinthians for the St. Agnes feast day Mass, told the packed church that, “instead of choosing ‘great’ or impressive people in the eyes of the world, God uses the humble, the foolish, the weak and ‘those who count for nothing’ to accomplish his purposes.”
“It is when we least expect it that the tiniest among us can humble the powerful,” he said.
For additional pictures - Click Here
back to top
|
