On January 23, six Old Collegians made their way to Washington D.C. However, this was not for a vacation. They went to join thousands of other pro-life Americans to protest the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in the United States. The March for Life began at the National Mall, where gathered to listen speakers of all religions made an appeal to the nation to outlaw abortion, and activate members of the pro-life movement to work for the protection of life. After two hours of standing in the cold and rain, the 400,000 people gathered began to make their way from the National Mall to the Supreme Court building. As they walked along, some groups began praying the rosary, others Divine Mercy Chaplets, or other devotions. Some groups sang hymns, firing up the spirits of the members of the pro-life movement, and some walked in silence, reflecting the solemn reason that all were gathered in the capital that day. Regardless of how they participated in the March, anyone who experienced the vast amount of people, everyone from priests and nuns to high school and college students to parents, who all shared the same ideal of the sanctity of life starting at conception, could not help but be reassured that, in a world that is often so hostile to those who support life, there are still so many others who are willing to stand and defend it.
The number 40 has a special significance in the Bible, representing a time of testing and trial. The Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years after the Exodus, and Jesus fasts and prays in the desert for 40 days before he begins his public ministry. As America enters its 40th year of legalized abortion, we recognize that our nation is being tested to uphold the first of the inalienable rights upon which it was founded, life.
The thing from the March for Life that was inspiring for me was to see the huge number of people that were there, despite the bad weather, to march for what they believed in. It was reassuring for me to know that there are many others out there who are willing to stand up for what is right. I can only hope, that one day the government will realize the evil that they are causing by allowing abortions, and pray for the day to come when abortions are made illegal, and we as a nation respect life again, from conception to a natural death.
Ave Crux Spes Unica,
Paul Fortin
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