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Bishop Burbidge celebrates Mass for Life is VERY Good

Ashleigh Kassock | For the Catholic Herald

This article has been updated.

Pro-life youths from all over the country packed into the EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax the morning of Jan. 24 for the Life is VERY Good Rally and Mass. The rally started at 9 a.m. and featured music by Andrew Laubacher, known as ALOB, and a motivational speech by Paul George.

The energy emanating from more than 5,000 young people was encouraging to Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School bioethics teacher Richard Gildersleeve who has been bringing youths to the rally for several years.

“I love the rally and march and I would love to see Roe v. Wade overturned,” said Gildersleeve. “Seeing the spirit of the youths is very encouraging. They are on fire and they know their faith. They are an incarnation of hope that we can look to for inspiration.”

Gildersleeve accompanied 300 Saint John Paul the Great students to the rally. During the Mass, some students presented the offertory gifts to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, the celebrant.

During his homily, the Bishop called the youth to obey Jesus’s mandate to “Love one another as I love you” by inspiring, imitating and implementing.

“It is very appropriate that we begin this day in the perfect way possible, with Mass and united in prayer for the unborn and protection of all human life,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Never underestimate the power of your prayer and the witness you offer.”

After Mass, attendees were treated to a Chick-fil-A lunch before hitting the road to Washington for the March for Life.

Saint John Paul the Great junior Charlie Wahlin has attended the rally for the past four years and sees it as a good way to prepare for the March for Life.

“All of life is important and significant,” said Wahlin. “They all have the divinity of a body and soul union. Somebody has to fight for the child’s rights in the womb.”

Kassock is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.

 

 

 

 

 

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