Marching: From Chicago to D.C.
On the day before the annual March for Life, the delegation arrived at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Instead the shrine crypt, I discovered hundreds of sleeping bags lined up on the floor and many, many teenagers all over the place. It was like being in a huge school dormitory. When the Mass began Jan. 23, nearly 6,000 persons managed find a place to listen to the welcoming message from the Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore, chairman of the National Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. The March for Life program got into full swing Jan. 24 with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal George. His homily proclaimed that only God can bring good things from evil. He invited all to “speak the truth and call things by their name.... That is why we are here today to speak about the terrible tragedy that is abortion.” Following Mass, buses moved the groups to the Ellipse Park, south of the White House where there was an incredible gathering committed to life. Delegations of an estimated of 100,000 souls shouted to give voice to the voiceless. Rosa A. Taico, a bilingual counselor at The Women's Center, a member of our Chicago group, was very impressed by the significant youth presence from around the country at the March for Life. “At the center, we save every year an estimate of 2,500 babies. Taico added, “This march for life has inspired me to work more with young mothers, especially those in the Hispanic community." Macias is the editor of Chicago Catolico, the archdiocesan Spanish-language newspaper.
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