Celebration and advocacy mingled at the Virginia Pro-Life Day Feb. 21. Thousands of pro-lifers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia gathered in Richmond with colorful signs, excited cheers and a determination to bring about pro-life legislative change.
The day began at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, where speakers prepared pro-life groups for scheduled meetings with legislators from the Virginia General Assembly. Amy McInerny, director of the diocesan Respect Life office, spoke on effective advocacy strategies. “Remember, you are here to plant seeds,” she said.
The groups walked several blocks to the Virginia General Assembly, where many sought meetings with their legislators and advocated for pro-life legislation. Felicity Wolf, a junior of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, arrived early with several of her classmates.
“After Roe v. Wade got overturned back to the states, many states have these abortion laws that allow it to be legal. We feel that Virginia needs to ban abortion and make it unthinkable, just like many states have already done,” she said. “So we want to march and make sure our state can protect life as well.”
Pro-lifers gathered for a rally outside the General Assembly, where pro-life delegates and speakers encouraged the marchers in their efforts.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge urged the marchers to continue standing for life, despite opposition. “We are brothers and sisters in Christ — God’s family. Some days we feel alone, but today is a reminder: We are not alone. We are marching together, we are marching courageously,” he said. “This isn’t easy, and especially for you, my young friends. I know you risk being ridiculed and rejected, but we’re courageous because we’re walking in the steps of Christ, doing what he asks us to do.”
Prayer is essential to pro-life efforts, Bishop Burbidge added. “We are marching peacefully and joyfully. Why? Because we have the truth. All of life is sacred. But let’s not forget, we also walk humbly,” he said. “Our advocacy today was essential, our witness is essential, but unless everything we do is rooted in prayer, recognizing it’s the Lord who leads us, walks ahead of us and guides us today, we will not be effective. We walk humbly with our God.”
A march began immediately following the rally. Governor Glenn Youngkin joined the front of the march, led by students from Bishop O’Connell. Some 3,000 to 3,500 pro-lifers marched through downtown Richmond, according to an estimate from the Division of Capitol Police.
Parishes from around the Arlington diocese joined the march. Eighth graders Abigail Wahlin and Henry Dobson attended with their youth group from St. William of York Church in Stafford.
“I think that it doesn’t matter how big the baby is. If it’s a single cell or if it’s thousands, it’s still a human being, and it still has a soul,” Dobson said.
This year was Wahlin’s third march. “God’s creation is important, and it doesn’t matter if it’s outside the womb or in the womb — it’s still a person no matter what,” she said. “I love coming and celebrating the children.”
Thomas Patchan, a parishioner of St. Veronica Church in Chantilly, said that the day’s legislative advocacy efforts were essential to the march. “Our representatives are going to vote on bills that will really severely damage women, men, children and families in our state. So they need to hear from us now and frequently, so we can change hearts and hopefully save souls,” he said.
Patchan said that now, more than ever, it is important for pro-lifers to participate in the state march. “Our state, Virginia, is trying to promote bills that will make abortion the law of our land. We need families especially to come out, because (representatives) need to see the people this affects the most right now: parents, mothers, children,” he said.
“We’re not only marching just for the babies, but we’re marching for the mothers as well, to know that this is a gift, it’s a gift of happiness, joy, and we don’t want them to get rid of that gift,” said Andrew Cobb, a junior at O’Connell. “There’s a future that you will never know unless you keep the baby. That’s the reason why I march.”
