Blessed Is the Fruit of Your Womb

Since 1974 people have marched for life in DC.  A protest, including tens of thousands of people, that has happened every year for over 40 years, must be some kind of record.  I myself have been taking part in the March for Life for over 10 years. Since I was little it was always a treat to be able to attend the March.  As a kid it was exciting to get up really early and take the Metro into DC.  We would get off at Gallery Place and go to the Rally and Mass for Life at, what was then, the Verizon Center. 

Now as a seminarian, I still go to this event, but now it is a shorter Metro ride.  It is a big event, and people come from all over in order to take part. Inevitably, you see someone you know.  Of course, the main event is the Mass, but in order to prepare, it is necessary to wake the young people up a little.  It is an early morning and you often arrive in a bit of a daze. The Rally provides that pick-me-up.  With a loud band, various dances, talks, and songs, the Rally psyches you up for Mass. Perhaps my favorite part is when the priests all process into the arena. I always see people taking pictures and videos at this moment, so I suppose this is their favorite part as well.  What makes this so special is the sheer number of priests and the angle at which you look down at them from the arena seats. It is not often you can look down on a procession at Mass. From such an angle, it looks like an army arrayed in white, making its way to do battle.  

Once the Mass is over, the attendants take to the streets. DC is never so friendly as during the March for Life. Almost everyone you see on that day is there for the March. As it approaches the Capitol building, the March crests a hill, and (if you are near the front) you can look back and see all the people coming behind you. At that moment you realize the vast number of people taking part. However, this large amount of people is not the most amazing aspect of the March for Life. The most amazing part is that it is always a joyful event. The atmosphere is one of celebration; despite the horrific thing we are there to protest. There is a sense that we are celebrating life, and we hope to win over the other side by showing them the beauty of the gift of life.