Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh
On Friday, January 19, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light
were in Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life. We joined with His
Excellenc
It was a sea of pro-life marchers as hundreds of thousands came
together from all over the country to celebrate this year’s theme - “Love Saves
Lives”. Choosing life is
not always easy, but it is the loving, empowering, and self-sacrificial option.
Love is universally attractive because it is directed towards others. Love is
what we all strive for because deep-down we are all drawn to give of ourselves
in this way. Love saves lives in countless ways.
Friday’s rally before the March had an excellent line-up of
speakers, including President Trump, Vice-President Pence, Speaker Paul Ryan,
Sr. Bethany Madonna (Sister of Life), March for Life President, Jeanie Mancini,
and other congress men and women.
The
president delivered his address from the Rose Garden as marchers watched on
video screens just a few blocks away on the National Mall. The President’s
address came a day after his administration announced a new Department of
Health and Human Services division intended to protect "conscience and
religious freedom." In his remarks, the president pointed to the
initiative as a key victory, saying it will defend the individual rights of "doctors,
nurses and other medical professionals."
On Saturday, January 20, we connected with our Maronite faithful from
the parish of Our Lady of Lebanon in Washington, D.C at the St. Maron Cenacle, and
we visited with the beautiful families that give of their time, talents and
treasures to be prayer warriors for our priests and religious.
On Sunday, January 21, after Divine Liturgy, we spent time with the MYA
who were still in town that had come for the March. Along with a number of MYA,
we attended a Q & A session on theological questions facilitated by former
rector of the Maronite Seminary, Msgr. Seely Beggiani.