By Sister Therese MariaThis was the first time I participated in the March for Life in Washington D.C.. My experience of this event was positive as we joined with a massive crowd of people (it was reported approximately 400,000 people) came from all over the country to witness to the dignity and sacredness of human life.
Overall, I was deeply impressed by the witness of so many groups and their banners promoting the child’s right to life. I found the people in the march to be calm, as they prayerfully walked to protest against the American law allowing abortions
The night before the March, we attended the vigil Liturgy at 6:30pm in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This beautiful Liturgy was celebrated by Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and concelebrated by many bishops and priests, including our own Bishop Gregory J. Mansour.
Several Religious communities, priests, seminarians (including our Maronite seminarians), youth, laity and groups from all over the country participated in the Divine Liturgy. The procession of bishops, priests, and seminarians was an awesome sight to behold as the entrance procession on its own took 40 minutes.
On Monday January 24th at noon on the Mall, we connected with Bishop Gregory and a group of Maronites, and joined with all those gathered in solidarity and prayer. It was beautiful to see our young families and children came out to give witness and march for life, even in the freezing weather!
In the morning, before the March, we attended the Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the DC Armory. The dynamic program commenced at 8:00AM and included praise and worship, confession, the rosary and Divine Liturgy at 10:30AM. I was reminded of the joyful celebrations of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. Jesus Christ is the joy of our lives! He is the reason why we come together to celebrate, to worship and to encounter Him in the Mysteries (Sacraments).