This past Friday a busload of our parish children and another busload of adults travelled to Washington, DC for the March for Life. The history of this great event is very beautiful. Late in October 1973, grassroots pro-life leaders became concerned that January 22, 1974 (the first anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion) might come and go without properly memorializing the Supreme Court's infamous abortion decision and without petitioning Congress for redress. About thirty prolife veterans resolved themselves into a committee and began making plans for the first March for Life. On January 22, 1974, the first March for Life was held on the West Steps of the Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed pro-life Americans rallied that day on behalf of our preborn brothers and sisters. Since then the March has continued, and despite some pretty bad weather over the years, now, over one hundred thousand pilgrims each year arrive in Washington to march for life. It’s important to note that the March for Life isn’t so much a protest as much as it is a positive effort to bring awareness to the plight of the most vulnerable, and to pray to our Lord and petition our government leaders to initiate laws that protect our children in the womb rather than allow them to be killed.
Pope Saint John Paul II reminded us that prayer shouldn’t be our last resort, but our first resort. He specifically mentioned this concept with regard to promoting the dignity of human life. With this in mind, I want to let you know that the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children will be observed by the Catholic Church in the United States this Monday, January 22nd. Penitential practices, prayer, fasting, acts of charity directed at Pro-Life organizations are suggested as a way of observing the day. Attending Mass on the 22nd is a very worthwhile participation in the spirit of this day. For those unable due to age, health, etc. to join in any of these activities, praying in your home is a fine way of participating in this Day of Prayer. There is also a novena of Prayer for Life available. It is called “9Days for Life”. Visit http// www.9daysforlife.com and pray along with others who are on this silent pilgrimage of prayer from January 18th-26th.
I ask all of you to offer special prayers and sacrifices on Monday, so that we together may help to bring the change needed to bring about a Culture of Life, for which we long for and truly need.
God bless you,
Father Joseph Byerley
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