The Funeral March for Life

by Sean Fitzpatrick
Crisis Magazine


Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose.” Those who choose repose receive release from the mandates of truth—but it is only temporary. Truth cannot be rejected forever. Those who choose truth, on the other hand, have no rest—and so they march. They march ever onward. The March for Life is a march for truth: a march that refuses to enter into the repose of denial; a march that peacefully protests the legal murder of millions of babies in the United States of America; and a march that commemorates those lives snuffed out before seeing the light of day. The March for Life in Washington D.C. is, perhaps first and foremost, a funeral march—and deep inside the hearts of those who have chosen the repose labeled “choice,” the truth stirs “like a babe buried alive,” as G. K. Chesterton sings in his ballad.

By taking a stand for the so-called unalienable right to life, the March for Life is also a memorial for the unborn dead and an outreach to those who have chosen death over life, for they are victims as well. To offer an example from the classical catalogue, when Jocasta and Laius learned of the hard fate that awaited their infant son, they acted. They drove a large nail through his tender ankles and, fastening a leather strap to both ends of the spike, hung their baby in a windy tree to die on Mount Cithaeron. But Oedipus survived and, with shame and shock, his parents were destroyed by the doom they wished to dodge.

“Murder, though it have no tongue, will speak,” Hamlet said, siding with Chanticleer. In the modern world, it is easy for a baby to die. It is difficult to die to oneself. Today, such horrors are not the supposed subject of mythology. They are reality, playing out the timeless tragedy of the Theban king and queen time and time again, for truth—and justice—can never die. His Truth is marching on, despite the blameless blood staining hazardous-waste dumpsters behind hospitals. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. This refrain is the marching hymn for Catholics today, and thus the March for Life remembers the holy souls of aborted babies together with the haunted souls of their mothers, whose searing pain is depicted in T. S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland:”

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Sean Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College and the Headmaster of Gregory the Great Academy. He lives in Scranton, PA with his wife and family of four.

In Praise of Catholic Motherhood

By Rachel Lu
Crisis Magazine

This is a week for celebrating life. In Washington D.C., the March for Lifecontinues its long tradition of marking the anniversary of Roe v Wade with a massive demonstration in remembrance of the unborn. Appropriately enough, Pope Francis set the week off by affirming the Church’s stance on artificial contraceptives on his visit to the Philippines. (This of course was followed by the “rabbit” kerfuffle. I was still feeling good about the contraceptive statement, so I did myself a favor and didn’t read the cunicular details.)

Many of us are too young to remember Roe v Wade, or any time before it. It can still be interesting in this “week of life” to reflect on the origins of our own pro-life convictions, and the impact they have had on our lives as a whole.

I first started thinking about abortion during the run-up to the 1992 election. I was assigned to research the topic for my middle school civics class. Together with three other students, I was asked to prepare an informative presentation for the class. I had no views on abortion at the time, and even though my church and parents were both pro-life, I don’t remember feeling “obligated” to take a particular side. (This might partly reflect the fact that neither church nor parents had really discussed the issue with me before that time.) I read the arguments as someone ready to be persuaded.

One of my fellow group members was also a longtime friend. When I asked her opinion, she answered straightforwardly that she believed that abortion was murder. “Just because fetuses are tiny doesn’t mean they’re not people,” she opined. “We should still want to protect them.”

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Rachel Lu, a Catholic convert, teaches philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota where she lives with her husband and three boys. Dr. Lu earned her Ph.D. in philosophy at Cornell University. Follow her on Twitter at rclu.

Interstate 35 Overpass Demonstration on Roe Day

It was Cold, Windy, Rainy and a Smashing Success!!

From John Pisciotta, 

Director of Pro-Life Waco

First-ever overpass demonstration in Waco. I did not realize at the time, but the weather was just perfect--absolutely brutal. It was cold, windy, and rainy throughout the demonstration from 11 to 1 PM.

Ten dedicated men and three unwavering and tough ladies were out there. Being out in weather like this multiplied the impact of the messages. Interstate 35, I am told, is the busiest interstate in the country.

Thousands saw the messages. I thank my pastor, Father Joe Geleney, for being with us for a tough and productive experience. I believe we did honor the 57 million aborted baby boys and girls who suffered so much more than we did today.

After experiencing the weather as excruciating, it actually became exhilarating. One interesting facet of our demonstration was that a woman driving from Dallas to Austin turned around to come back to the overpass to greet us and take pictures. I didn’t get a picture of her because I was gone to get some additional bungee cords.

One of our signs was “Honk If You’re Pro-Life.” There was a whole lot of honking. After the demonstration, we enjoyed each other’s company over lunch at George’s fine café. A good time was had by all. We will return to the Waco Interstate 35 pedestrian overpass!!!!

New Generation Enters Fight Against Abortion in Washington

From WND Faith

WASHINGTON, D.C. – They came from near and far, across deserts, plains and mountains. They were young, old and middle-aged. Their faces reflected the face of America – white, black, Asian and Hispanic.

Clad in coats, hats and sweaters, they all descended on Washington, D.C. on a chilly, blustery January day. The weather may have been cold, but their enthusiasm seemed to warm the air around them. They were there to celebrate the one thing they shared in common: life.

This was the March for Life, a gathering of pro-life advocates held every year on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Hundreds of thousands of passionate demonstrators crowded right into the heart of Washington to voice their opposition to abortion.

The event began with an hour-long rally on the National Mall. A few members of Congress spoke, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. Folk singer Marie Miller serenaded the crowd. The Rev. Sammy Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference fired up the spectators with his closing remarks.


Please take a moment to watch the video below. 

 


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“We are Being Treated Like Animals”‏

Women in India continue to suffer in sterilization camps and new horrors surface just two months after the Chhattisgarh tragedy

Prayer and Witness on the Anniversary of Roe v Wade

By Brother Kenneth Reihl 

Yesterday many stood up with one voice to defend those with no voice. Across the nation many marched and prayed for the unborn and to stop abortions. As the Washington D.C. march was stepping off there was a smaller event just outside the Planned Parenthood building in Warminster, PA. The cold temp did not stop the prayer warriors from attending. The message was strong and the prayers stronger, armed with the shield of Christ Jesus and the Rosary the message was loud and powerful.

Many of the cars and trucks passing waved except one, as this young man in his early 20's passed he tapped his horn and when I looked over he was not waving but gave me a hand gesture. When I saw this I felt sorry for him and thought;  he is blessed because he could do this act directed to myself and the others there. The reason I thought of this is because if he were to have been aborted he would never have had been able to do this act. So with this said I prayed for him.

 I was happy to meet everyone there and Brother Dennis and I feel so blessed in doing so. While I was there I spoke to a few of the brothers and sisters and I told this story that I would like to share with you.

I know this couple before they were married and the Groom found out that the Bride was pregnant and that he was not the father. He went home and thought about it but decided that he would still marry her. After that they were married and had the child.

I was thinking of what the child's name was and then I remembered... His name was Jesus and with his parents Joseph and Mary were a wonderful family. Now my question was; what would have happened if he was aborted?? So with that said; each unborn that is murdered we also have to think, what would that child have done in life? Cured cancer? Saved a life? Would they have someday married and their children would have done something great? Makes you think...

Blessing to all who went across the country and for those who could not attend but were there in prayer and spirit..

Brother Kenneth Reihl is Bishop Abbot at Franciscan Order of the Divine Mercy and Sr. Pastor at St. Francis Lutheran Orthodox Church (North Arlington, NJ)

Two More Abortion Clinics Close, Continuing the National Trend‏

"When abortion clinics close, lives are saved!" -Troy Newman, President, Operation Rescue

Operation Rescue

Washington, DC - As pro-life supporters from around the nation gather in Washington, D.C. today to mark the 42nd memorial of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion in the U.S., Operation Rescue announces that two more abortion facilities have permanently closed.

"Today, as pro-lifers, we should be encouraged that our efforts have not been in vain. Abortion clinics are closing in record numbers due to their tireless work of men, women, and young people all across this nation," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "America is beginning to reject abortion, and that is evidenced in closed clinics and historically low abortion numbers. When abortion clinics close, lives are saved!"

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Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America.

Amanda Marcotte’s New Low: Demonizing Grieving Fathers of Aborted Children

By Calvin Freiburger
Live Action News

Last week was not great for Amanda Marcotte’s image. The day after bemoaning the prospect of “forcing” Down syndrome kids on their parents (eviscerated here on LAN by Cassy Fiano), she followed up with an angry condemnation of fathers who grieve for their aborted children in stories shared by Heroic Media, Silent No More, and others. While the natural reaction for anyone with a soul would be empathy, Marcotte’s is “vomiting in your mouth.”


The instigator of her venom was “The Apology,” a recent Heroic Media video featuring the heartfelt confessions of several men who either agreed to or failed to more strongly object to girlfriends’ abortions earlier in their lives. They apologize for not fighting for the sons and daughters they’ll never get to know, who lost their chance to grow in and experience this world, and to the women considering or suffering from abortion today who aren’t getting the support they need.

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Calvin Freiburger is a Wisconsin-based conservative writer and 2011 Hillsdale College graduate, dedicated to the principles of the American Founding—individual liberty, limited government, public virtue, and strong defense—though he believes no issue is more important to a free society’s survival than defending the unalienable rights of society’s most vulnerable members.

On the Anniversary of Roe v Wade.......

Yesterday I traveled to Washington, DC for the largest March for Life to date.  Estimates of the crowds marching ranged anywhere from “tens of thousands” reported by the local liberal media, who chose not to cover this event, to 750,000 by ETWN, who were actually at the March covering it from beginning to end. (I guess you can guess which estimate I choose to believe.) 

Not included in this count was a large group of people who remained at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, who because of age or infirmary could not march, but came to be a part of this day by praying for those marching as well as for an end to abortion in our country.

One of those was a woman who traveled from Boston, MA to Malvern, PA for a retreat and as part of that retreat then traveled to Washington, DC.

Marchers were from all walks of life.  It was well noted all the young people who were in attendance, several of whom were interviewed by the reporters from EWTN, and all very well spoken.  (Future pro-life leaders?)

One of those interviewed was a young women with Down Syndrome.  Her testimony brought tears to the eyes of all  including the reporter who interviewed her. 

On the local front, over 40 people attended a Prayer Vigil at the Planned Parenthood in Warminster, Pennsylvania.  They were met with a very positive response from those driving by.  It is the hopes of those who organized this rally, that this become a yearly event drawing even more people each year until this abortion facility closes and abortion is eradicated from our land. 

The Missing Poster Child of Abortion

By Maria Gallagher, Legislative/PAC Director
Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation

I had just gone up to the cash register at the clothing retailer when my eyes met those of a little boy, probably four years old.

His face graced a poster pleading for contributions to help treat his cancer and that of other children afflicted with the disease.

It was impossible for me to ignore those eyes.

I quickly assented to the $2 being added to my purchase as a contribution to the boy's cause.

In an instant, my mind turned to the estimated 57 million children in the U.S. who have died as a result of the silent killer known as abortion. I wondered about their eyes, and if they could move a nation to end the tragedy.

If only we faced those eyes every time we made our way to a checkout counter. If only we could see the faces of abortion's victims. Would we not then lend a hand to those staring down a suction machine or an abortionist's scalpel?

If only we could see those poster children who are hidden from our view.

Abortion does have a human face. Pollsters may call it a hot-button issue, but it is in fact a profoundly human one. It is not about choice. It is about humanity and the failure to recognize such. If abortion did not result in the death of a child, it would not be an issue at all.

But no political sloganeering can drown out the essential fact that with an abortion a life is taken. Only when our social blindness is successfully treated and we see the eyes of the victims can we as a nation begin to heal.

Use this link  for more information on the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation or to support them in their work.