Legionary brothers in Washington DC

By Brother Joseph A’Hearn LC

At the airport a few days ago I saw a billboard that said, “Speak out for those who have no voice.”

I would have expected to see that text accompanied by a photo of an unborn baby.  Instead, the photo was of a whale.

I thought, “How long will people look at a few barely significant shrubs and miss the forest?”  It is a good thing to protect endangered animals out in the wild.  But no one is more endangered these days than a baby in the womb. 

And the value of a human life is infinite.

Thirty-nine years of pain from legalized abortion have not deterred those Americans who are convinced of the supreme value of life.  No amount of pouring rain could stop the thousands of pro-lifers who marched through the nation’s capital on Monday (January 23, 2012) in a crowd estimated to be the largest-to-date of Roe v. Wade protesters, according to city officials.

As we attended the Vigil Mass (the evening of January 22, 2012) in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, it felt like a scene from the Vatican.  Several cardinals and bishops concelebrated, along with hundreds of priests.  Hundreds of seminarians from all over the country also processed in, wearing cassock and surplice.  In all, the pilgrims numbered more than 20,000.

After getting “half” a good night’s sleep, the Catholics -- and especially young Catholics -- filled the Verizon Center and the DC Armory (two stadiums full) for a youth rally and Mass.  Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Cardinal Daniel DiNardo left the Catholic youth on fire with enthusiasm as Mass ended around midday.

Then it was time for the rally at the National Mall.  John Boehner, Speaker of the House, and Congressman Chris Smith were among those who addressed the crowd.  And when the time was ripe, pro-lifers with signs and banners flooded the streets from the Mall over to the US Supreme Court Building.  Here post-abortive women gave their conversion testimonies.  

While the March for Life itself might not change too many hearts, the event surely invigorates pro-lifers for the rough journey ahead and keeps us motivated in one of the thickest battles of our culture war.  Although the percentage of pro-life Americans is on the rise, the fight is far from over.

Mark your calendars for next year’s March -- Friday, January 25, 2013.