By PEGGY MOEN
ST. PAUL — The night before the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life rally at the state capitol, I watched EWTN’s coverage of the January 21 national March for Life in D.C. Several commentators observed that this could be the last March, given pro-life hopes that the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down Roe in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. A decision is expected by late June.
I thought about that, already feeling nostalgic and thinking that it would be strange not to attend another March for Life after half a century.
The next morning, however, I drove up to the Cathedral of St. Paul for the Prayer Service for Life. After crossing snowy, icy Selby Avenue to get into the cathedral, I began to think that a decision striking down Roe couldn’t come soon enough!
But the talks at the service were warm and encouraging, with Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese saying, “It is indeed inspiring to have so many of you here.”
The cathedral’s seating capacity is 3,000. The crowd grew to standing room only — probably a record attendance for the Prayer Service for Life. Many young families were present: Across from me sat a couple with three young children and a baby.
The archbishop extended “a particular welcome” to the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox attendees at the prayer service.
Archbishop Hebda quoted Ashley McGuire in USA Today: “The 2022 March for Life was different than the 48 that preceded it. This year, we marched on the brink of a post-Roe world.
“That’s cause for histrionics among abortion-rights advocates. But for March for Life supporters, it’s cause for a calm and steadfast seriousness.”
The archbishop stated: “She is talking about us too.”
“I’m so grateful for these opportunities” for prayer, he said, but “prayer is also a time for us to listen” and “we also need to listen for our marching orders” as the battle shifts to the states. We need to pray that we will be foot soldiers in rebuilding the culture of life, as “intended for us from the beginning of all creation.”
Archbishop Hebda recalled that Pope Benedict XVI has referred to the Washington, D.C., March for Life “as the largest human rights manifestation in the world.”
He pointed out that the largest demographic of those seeking abortion is women between the ages of 18 and 24 who already have one child.
“They need our help.”
With Archbishop Hebda on the altar were Bishop Emeritus John LeVoir of New Ulm, Minn., and Fr. John Ubel, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul.
After the prayer service, pro-lifers at the prayer service began the trek to Minnesota’s state capitol in St. Paul. Some of us drove.
And the pro-lifers kept swelling the ranks on the Capitol grounds, making its attendance as impressive as the participation at the prayer service.
The cold was knifing. The bright sun didn’t seem to help. Marching kept people somewhat warm, but I became even more anxious for Roe to be overturned so we could switch to a summer celebration of life instead.
I wondered why the crowds were so immense under these conditions. A car parked near mine gave a clue: It flew a large flag reading, “Let’s Go Brandon,” in reference to President Biden.
Also, a young man on the Capitol steps who identified himself as “Joe” from outstate Minnesota portrayed Biden in a grim reaper outfit with the words “a ‘good’ Catholic” on it. Biden’s faith is in killing people, said Joe, adding that “we need to be ‘woke’ about the womb . . . that’s why I’m out here.”
Fear of the harms coming from the Biden administration helped swell the crowds, but so did the traditional sources of inspiration and renewed hopes for Roe’s reversal.
Lupe Atilano with his wife Melida carried a large sign saying, “A nation that kills its own children is a nation without hope.”
“It’s a John Paul II statement and it’s a profound statement on life,” said Lupe.
The Rev. Fred Hinz of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Gaylord, Minn., told The Wanderer that “I am here to pray that in the end life will be respected at all stages.”
Opening the program following the march, MCCL’s Jan Ochsner said: “We are here to say that unborn children deserve protection. We are here to say that women deserve support and love. We are here to say that all human beings have human rights, no matter their age or their size.”
During the program, she recognized the marchers who were there carrying “Silent No More” signs — these are pro-lifers who regret their abortions.
Pastor Judson Marvel of Good Shepherd Church, Minnetonka, gave the invocation, praying: “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for designing all men and women in your image.”
Later, State Sen. Julia Coleman (R., Chanhassen) shared her story of running for office during her first pregnancy and then facing pressure to abort during her second pregnancy with twin boys. Doctors encouraged her to abort one baby to increase the other’s chances of survival. She refused, and both boys were born healthy and are thriving.
Cong. Michelle Fischbach (R., Minn.) told the crowd: “Even though it’s cold we know that babies deserve protection….We are all here to be the voice of the voiceless.”
Don Parker of MCCL introduced other pro-life officials at the march.
MCCL’s press release after the march took note of the Dobbs case. But the news isn’t all good: In Minnesota a 1995 State Supreme Court ruling (Doe v. Gomez) will still require a policy of abortion-on-demand, even if Roe is reversed.
Taps and a rendition of God Bless America by the Preacher’s Daughters concluded the program. The stalwart pro-lifers departed, with many no doubt wondering what next January will bring.
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