Archbishop Lori, Bishop Lewandowski help kick off March for Life events

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori was the main celebrant Jan. 20 of the Mass at Life Fest, a new event at the 50^th anniversary of the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. 

At the Mass, he emphasized that the nation is at an “amazing point” in the pro-life movement after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, and he urged the congregants to be protectors, defenders and advocates for life.

In his opening remarks, Archbishop Lori thanked everyone for coming to “celebrate love and life.” He praised the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus for organizing the morning rally held at the 4,200-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena. 

The rally began at 7:30 a.m. with music from the Sarah Kroger Band and included speakers, Mass and Eucharistic adoration. It featured Sister Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life; Sister Mary Casey, who also is a Sister of Life, and her twin, Casey, who has Down syndrome; David Scotton, who was placed for adoption after his birth mother left an Indiana abortion clinic in 1993; and Tricia and Pete DeMaios, who work to educate people about the suffering inflicted by abortion. 

Archbishop Lori closed Life Fest Mass by noting that he’s been “blessed” to be a priest for 46 years and encouraged those in attendance who have a calling to consecrated life to answer that call.

Archbishop Lori, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and former chair of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activity, also concelebrated the Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life Jan. 19 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. More than 6,000 people attended the annual Mass that takes place on the evening before the March for Life. Archbishop Lori offered a reflection at a Holy Hour that followed the Mass.

“The 2023 National March for Life is one of the most crucial in the history of the pro-life movement. In the wake of the recent Dobbs decision, we see a profound opportunity to build the culture of life in a new way,” said Sister Maris Stella of the Sisters of LIfe in a media release promoting  Life Fest. “We want to serve the Church in her most urgent need – that of the cause of human life, sharing the good news of God’s plan for life and love. So, let’s return to the heart of the matter. Let’s renew our commitment to love. Let’s be agents of healing in a broken world.” 

Patrick Kelly, Supreme Knight of the Knights of the Knights of Columbus, said: “Fifty years ago, the Knights of Columbus helped launch the National March for Life. Tens of thousands of Knights have marched, year after year, and it’s become the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. The end of Roe is a crucial milestone, but we should not mistake the ruling as the end of abortion. The fight to protect life will now evolve at the state level but a united stand before national lawmakers is still essential. We’re delighted to partner with the Sisters of Life to inspire the next generation, and together, we’ll push forward in the states and as a nation, with all the courage and compassion we can summon.”

The event was designed to inspire and educate a new generation in the post-Dobbs era. The Sisters and Knights said they “aim to reignite the faithful in an appreciation of the gift of their own lives, and love and empathy for women who are unexpectedly pregnant and for women and men who have suffered after abortion. They also hope to encourage the attendees to continue to participate in the March for Life as a celebration for life. 

“Why do we rally, and why do we march?” said Sister Marie Veritas of the Sisters of Life. “Because abortion is more than a political issue, or a legal term, or a medical procedure. Abortion has a face and a name. We march because we stand with women who are pregnant and in need. We march because no woman who has experienced abortion is left unseen by God’s love and mercy. We march because God wants to heal broken hearts and lives. We march because your life, and every life, is a gift.”

Students from Archbishop Curley High School, St. Louis Parish and St. Mary’s School were in attendance.

On the morning of the Jan. 20  March for Life, Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., delivered the homily at at special 10 a.m.  Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The vast majority of those in attendance at the packed liturgy were young people. 

The bishop challenged those in the  congregation to recognize the great power they hold to promote the sanctity of life. 

“Grace is God’s power in you to do good,” Bishop Lewandowski said. 

The bishop said the annual March for Life is the day “when America has a conscience.”

“Have you ever thought of yourself as America’s conscience?” he asked. “Your presence here is a proclamation that life triumphs.”

Bishop Lewandowski urged support for pregancy centers and other intitiatives to help people choose life. 

“We’re called, each of us,  to meet women where they are, and those who love them and help them understand everything is possible with God,” he said. 

George Matysek Jr. contributed to this story. 

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@catholicreview.org

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