An Opportunity to Witness

Archbishop Vigneron joins seminarians at annual March for Life

My third-year theology class and I had the opportunity to attend the January 22 March for Life in Washington, D.C. It was a tremendous grace for the thirteen of us to be among the hundreds of thousands of people praying, marching, and protesting for an end to abortion. Our group was part of a long tradition of Sacred Heart seminarians bussing down to the nation's capital to attend the march.

Cardinal Sen O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, delivered the homily at the National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. His message was counter to what the popular media likes to say.

We are constantly hearing from major media outlets how almost everyone is in support of abortion, especially the younger generations. However, Cardinal O'Malley gave powerful testimony that the younger generation is a powerful force behind the pro-life movement. This position was evident by the huge amount of high-school and college students at the march. It was clear to me the Holy Spirit was present and his power was noticeable. People sung, prayed, and praised the Lord while walking from the National Mall to the Supreme Court building to protest the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that maintained aborting a pre-born child is a constitutional right.

Another tremendous grace for me was to have our own Archbishop Allen Vigneron marching with the group from Detroit. He took the time to visit, encourage, and lead us in the march. For me, it was a powerful example of what pastoral care should look like. I believe it was exactly what Pope Francis is speaking about when he encourages priests to be among their people.

Another grace I experienced at the March for Life was in response to hostility. At one point, we walked past a group of politicians or lobbyists watching us from a terrace on one of the buildings. They showed obvious frustration at what we were doing as they pointed at us and made comments. I felt close to Jesus and the Apostles as we stood for the truth of the gospel in the face of opposition.

I also believe the march has more of an impact when it produces strong emotion in people rather than apathy. As Jesus says in the Book of Revelation, Because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. I would definitely recommend going to the March for Life because it is a great opportunity to witness and is a powerful expression for the culture of life.