Young Catholics flock to pro-life event

The 37th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., will take place on Jan. 22, the anniversary of passage of the U.S. Supreme Court's "Roe v. Wade" decision that legalized abortion in 1973.

With increasing numbers of young people attending, young Catholics from the Albany Diocese traveling to the event see it as an experience that solidifies their Catholic identity.

Abortion "is one of the most fought-over beliefs," said 14-year-old Sean Hanus, a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Worces-ter who has participated in the march for six years. "The Catholic Church takes a stance, but some of the other churches just let it go."

The March for Life is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1974 in response to the two 1973 Supreme Court decisions - Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton - that legalized abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. The march has grown from an attendance of 20,000 to an estimated 200,000 and includes prayer, song, signs and fellowship along its route from the National Mall to the Supreme Court.

No compromise
This year's theme is, "Stand Up Now! Unite for the Life Principles - No Exceptions! No Compromise!"

At the march, speeches are made by politicians, religious and secular pro-life advocates, and women affected by abortion. Participants are encouraged to meet with their congressional representatives to intercede for the unborn.

Activities on the eve of the march include a conference with pro-life exhibits and a night vigil near the White House. A dinner gathering the evening after the march features national speakers who provide inspiration and education on "life principles."

Mary Ryan, 13, a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Northville, will be attending for the first time.

"As a Catholic, this gives me a better understanding of what we believe in," she told The Evangelist. "I'm a better person for believing this and for standing up for it. I think people should understand that abortion is horrible and wrong, and it should be ended."

Youth impress
Stephen Mawn, associate director for catechist formation and Respect Life for the Albany Diocese, applauded the participation of the next generation of Catholics.

"One of the amazing things that you see if you go down to D.C. for the March for Life is the number of teens and college-aged young adults who are in attendance," he said. "This is certainly a positive sign for the future, that not all of our young people are complacent when faced with the issues that comprise the 'culture of death.'"

One big draw for Catholics is the youth rally and Mass for life hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington at the Verizon Sports and Entertainment Center. Beginning in the early morning Jan. 22, it includes a rally, confessions, Rosary and Mass. Students can attend sessions titled "Choice, Abortion and the Law" and "Church Teaching and the Right to Life."

Sean's father, Patrick Hanus, has been taking some of his five children to the march for the past six years.

"It is a joyful, peaceful demonstration," he said. "My children get so much out of it. The car drive is a six-hour teachable moment, especially on the ride back. We talk about our faith, vocations, how the Church does not just stand up for the unborn and all the men and women affected by abortion, but for the poor and the destitute."

Get and give
Sean's 15-year-old brother, Patrick Jr., has also attended the march a number of times. "I keep going because it is a time to focus on the pro-life movement," Patrick said. "You get a good homily at the youth Mass there."

His experiences motivated him to start a pro-life group at St. Joseph's parish and participate in the "40 Days for Life" movement: "I spearhead a group of kids to pray, to walk peacefully and hold a sign and pray, then actually talk to people."

Mary's mother, Katy Ryan, has attended the march for many years with some of her six children, as well.

"The kids love it," she said. "The uplifting thing is the youth rally for the teens. It is an overflowing crowd every year."

She, too, appreciates the solidarity found at the march with like-minded Catholics: "Respect for life is the basis for our faith." And she likes "to see the numbers of people out there who feel the same way and are passionate against abortion."

She has passed her commitment on to her daughter.

"I've always wanted to go" to the march, Mary affirmed. "Everyone says it's an amazing experience. It's fun, everyone is together, and the teens are really good and pumped up."

Positive results
Catholic youth report coming away with an appreciation and enthusiasm for their faith.

"We need to educate ourselves to what the Church teaches, so if people ask why we are pro-life, we can tell them without getting all fidgety," Sean explained, citing his own argument: "Contraception is wrong; it's bad to abort your baby; life begins at conception; and a baby is precious and it's bad to take it away."

Mr. Hanus reinforced his son's comments. "From the Catholic viewpoint, Jesus is the truth," he said. "Abortion takes a human life. You can't hide that. That truth will remain, and it's good for the Church to go out there and practice."

"It definitely has put more structure on my faith," concluded Patrick Jr. "It's amazing to see so many people at the march. I really enjoy it."

Sean concurred. "The march motivates you to do a lot. It makes you want to go there and change the world."

See the calendar (p. 23) for holy hours for life being held at parishes in conjunction with the march.

01/14/10 [[In-content Ad]]