With rosaries in hand, over 30 Mundelein seminarians traveled to Washington, D.C. to walk and pray with hundreds of thousands at the March for Life. Held every year around the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this peaceful march is a powerful witness to the dignity and sanctity of all human life.
A Vigil Mass was held the night before the March, with Cardinal Timothy Dolan presiding and hundreds of priests and seminarians filling the front of the church. His homily highlighted the fact that a sanctuary is a place where we are safe, where we can seek refuge, a place where we flee for peace. The Israelites sought refuge in a sanctuary. Mary is the sanctuary for Jesus. Our Lord tore the veil of the sanctuary, opening a place of refuge and peace. Today we see attacks again on our sanctuaries – earth, Church, life, and the womb. We must have our first sanctuary preserved – the womb.
The morning of the March, seminarians attended one of the youth rallies and Masses held in the area. The seats were full of other young people, all of them passionate about defending the rights of all human beings.
Our guys made their way to the official rally, where politicians, church leaders, and pro-life activists shared encouraging words. The addition of a Vice President (the highest-ranking government official to ever attend a March) was especially reaffirming. With a Mundelein Seminary banner at the front of the pack, our seminarians from all over the world marched and prayed for a greater respect for life.
Back at the seminary in Mundelein, our Peace and Justice/Gospel of Life Apostolate led a Holy Hour for the March for Life, with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, intercessions from the U.S. Bishops, and a rosary. They prayed for an end to the culture of death, doctors, nurses, those who have lost a child to abortion, parents overwhelmed by grief and remorse, those who provide abortions, and those who work to defend the equality of all persons.
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Seminarians arrive in Washington, D.C. and gather in front of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
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A sea of seminarians from all over the country gather before Vigil Mass with Cardinal Dolan.
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You can spot Deacons Radley Alcantara (Chicago), Miguel Venegas (Chicago) and Josh Gray (San Antonio) participating in the Vigil Mass.
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Throngs of people head in to Mass to pray for the unborn.
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Youth rally and Mass held right before the March for Life
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Seminarians at Mundelein pray for the March for Life in our JPII Chapel on campus.
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Deacon Radley Alcantara (Chicago) stands above the crowd.
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Eric Rewa (Grand Rapids) and Cody Armock (Grand Rapids) display the Mundelein banner.
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All our marchers! Pleas join them in praying for an increase in respect for all human life.
Photos courtesy of seminarian Michael Groth (Joliet).
