“March for Life” – Washington, DC
The 41st annual March for Life always occurs on the anniversary of the destructive Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the US. Every January 22nd since then has become a day to mourn the loss of the most innocent, but also to give them a voice for the right to life.
On the eve of the March, priests, seminarians and sisters organized a youth Rally for Life at St. John Baptist de la Salle parish in preparation for the following day’s main event. Youth from our local parishes along with a large group from the IVE parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in New York participated in the event. The night began with a dinner and several forms of entertainment prepared by the seminarians and sisters: a game show competition between youth groups, songs by the sisters, and a skit performed by the seminarians. Following such, there was a Holy Hour and Rosary for the protection of life, during which the youth took the advantage of the availability of priests for Confession.
On the day of the March, the IVE group gathered together again at St. John Baptist de la Salle for breakfast and an opportunity to discuss the moral issue of abortion and other bioethical issues. Thanks to a donation from the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation each of the youth were able to receive a student bioethics booklet which they used in their discussions with the seminarians and sisters. After the discussion period, Mass was celebrated in the parish Church. Following the Holy Mass everyone made their way to the downtown area to participate in the March.
Walking behind the “IVE for Life” sign and accompanied by the beating of drums, the energetic IVE group brought a lot of energy to the March, manifesting that having life is something joyful. Midway through the March the group also prayed the Rosary as they continued their way to the Supreme Court building where the March traditionally ends. Although the police no longer offer official estimates, this year’s march drew a couple hundred thousand participants, mostly youth and families. As many signs carried during the day said, “I am the Pro-Life Generation”, let us continue to pray that God will move the hearts of men and women in the United States and around the world to build a culture of life.
“Walk for Life” – San Francisco, CA
On Saturday, January 26th, members of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word and parishioners of Our Lady of Peace Shrine and St. Leo’s Parish participated in the largest “Walk for Life” to-date in San Francisco, California. The day began with a Holy Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of San Francisco, His Excelency Salvatore Cordileone at the Cathedral. The cathedral was standing-room-only, with many religious and young people in attendance. After the Mass, participants walked to the central plaza to hear speakers at a Pro-Life rally before the actual “Walk” began. After hearing from Abby Johnson, Archbishop Cordileone, and other pro-life speakers, the 60,000-strong crowd began the march down Market Street (the main thoroughfare of the city. The IVE contingent made their way down the streets behind both parish banners, bouquets of “LIFE” balloons, and to the sound of songs and cheers initiated by the religious.
The day prior to the Walk, over 350 youth participated in a Youth Rally and Mass sponsored by Our Lady of Peace. Those in attendance participated in a welcome show, talks, a penitential Holy Hour and Rosary Procession before concluding the evening with the Holy Mass. The night was prepared by the IVE priests and SSVM sisters working at OLOP and they were also helped by two seminarians from the Fulton Sheen House of Formation.
We continue to pray that, through the intercession of Maria de la Dulce Espera (Mary of Sweet Waiting), God may grant to those hearts contemplating abortion a conversion of heart and mind and for the return of a culture of life here in the United States. Viva la Virgen!
From: IVE AMERICA
