Deacon senses joyful gratitude at March for LIfe

By Deacon David F. Vaillancourt Sr.
Special to The Catholic Free Press

In talking with colleagues and friends about the March for Life, I found that many wondered what would be different this year, and why there would be a march, because of the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer.
Admittedly, in the past, one of the principal reasons for the march was not only to witness to the inherent value of every human life, particularly the lives of the pre-born, but also to peacefully protest the Supreme Court’s unjust Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 that legalized abortion in all 50 states. With the authority to regulate abortion now sent back to the states, why have a national march?
The answers came from the homilies given at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and in the speeches given at the March for Life rally on the National Mall.
At this year’s Masses and rally there was a different atmosphere. It wasn’t one of triumphalism, but one of joyful gratitude to God for the Supreme Court’s decision last June. There was also a sense of affirmation for all those in the pro-life cause, affirmation that prayers, witness, and sacrifices are effective.
It was edifying to see the basilica packed, with standing room only. I was asked 10-15 minutes before the Friday morning Mass to be deacon of the Mass, since one of the scheduled deacons didn’t show up. That was a unique experience in this magnificent church dedicated to Our Lady.
The sense of hope was pervasive throughout the day, as if we were taking the first step as a country out of a period of darkness into a new day of light, knowing that there is still much work to be done. Energized by the Supreme Court’s decision, participants were committing anew to the next step in what it means to be pro-life. With the focus on regulating abortion shifted to the U.S. Congress and the states, we were reminded that much needs to be done to “make abortion unthinkable,” including better support for crisis pregnancy centers, workplace flexibility for moms, improving child support systems, and fixing adoption and foster care systems that fail our children.
The idea of “Pro-Life for the Whole of Life” reminded me of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin’s “seamless garment of life” from conception to natural death. The speeches were both rousing and inspirational.
Two talks inspired me the most. One was by Gianna Emanuela Molla, a doctor in Italy, whose mother, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, also a doctor there, died a week after giving birth to her. St. Gianna had refused life-saving surgery that would have killed her daughter. Gianna Emanuela said she was loved into being by her father, Pietro, and especially her mother, who sacrificed herself for her.
The second talk that was very inspiring was that of Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus on the TV series “The Chosen.” With some in the crowd chanting “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” he reminded everyone that he only plays the character of Jesus on TV.
“God is real,” he said, “and he’s completely in love with each and every one of you.” Through his talk, one could readily see that the work he has done playing Jesus has borne fruit in a deeper conversion experience for him. He even said so in telling how he “spent a lot of time dwelling in the realm of the Spirit through prayer, meditation and the sacraments of my faith. And let me tell you, it changes you from the inside out.” He called on the crowd to likewise go deeper in their relationship with God and their faith, to be able to withstand the darkness of the modern culture.
I came away with the message that only when we, ourselves, are fully converted, and strong in our faith, will we be able to convert others to the Culture of Life. Mr. Roumie’s speech was by far the deepest and most spiritual and I recommend everyone watch it on YouTube or another media outlet.
All in all, I found this year’s March for Life and its events to be re-energized and re-focused and, given the speeches, maybe even more spiritual than in past years.
 
– Deacon David F. Vaillancourt Sr., who serves at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford, has participated in the March for Life nearly a dozen times.

OSV News photo | Gregory A. Shemitz  
Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Christ in the TV series “The Chosen,” speaks during the 50th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 20.