Addressing a crowd of more than 10,000 pro-lifers, New York
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan delivered the homily at the Basilica of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Jan. 18 during the evening National
Prayer Vigil for Life.
The opening Mass, the kick-off to the 45th March for Life, was
standing room only with high schoolers and others filling many of the
basilica’s aisles.
A standing room only crowd gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Jan. 18. GEORGE GOSS | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD
“Jam-packed like the seventh game of the World Series at Yankee
Stadium,” Cardinal Dolan said to rolling laughter from the congregation.
The concelebrants included four cardinals, 37 bishops and 262
priests.
Pro-life activists came from across the nation and Cardinal Dolan
encouraged the congregation to reflect on their “act of solidarity in prayer
and witness” for the unborn.
“Pastor (Martin Luther) King would often begin his stirring
speeches, which still move us, by asking his listeners, ‘Why are you here?’ ”
Dolan said, referencing the civil rights icon.
Some in the crowd, such as Norma Canedo, 29, did not have to
travel far, but was nonetheless inspired
by the vitality of the crowd.
“The most meaningful part is seeing how many young people are
here,” said Canedo, the social justice coordinator at St. Matthew’s Cathedral
in Washington. “I do not think the secular media is paying attention to the
fact that the future of our country is pro-life.”
Two college freshmen, Claire Mullan, 18, and Madeline Porter, 18,
also were in attendance. And while they experienced a more strenuous commute — traveling
more than 1,400 miles from the University of St. Thomas in Houston — they came
away with the same inspiration.
“A lot of things are going downhill in this country, but all of
these Catholics are getting together to March for Life and it is amazing,”
Cullen said. “Besides, if there are people dying you have to do something about
it.”
Porter added, “I love my Catholic faith and I love being
pro-life.”
In his homily, Cardinal Dolan gave four main reasons in answer to
his own question as to why so many were in attendance: to advocate, to give
witness, to be encouraged and finally to find the strength to persevere “in this
place, a home that the powers of darkness are scared of, where Mary is our
mother, Jesus dwells and we are with family.”
The cardinal also highlighted what Alveda King, a pro-life
advocate and the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said about the march.
“As Rev. King’s niece reminds us, her uncle would be marching
with us in the defense of unborn life,” Dolan said.
Goss is a freelancer in Washington.
