Thousands upon thousands gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on January 22, 2014 for the annual March for Life, marking 41 years since the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion in America. Despite a heavy snowstorm which blanketed the nation’s capital the day before, enthusiastic marchers were undeterred as they joined hundreds of thousands of their fellow Americans to voice their opposition of the sin of abortion.
Motivated by recent victories in the fight against abortion, the overwhelmingly youthful throng made its way up Capitol Hill to the steps of the Supreme Court. During the frigid but sunny Wednesday afternoon, myriad participants carried colorful signs and banners of every description bearing pro-life messages, while some marched in silence and others chanted slogans or prayed the Rosary.
Members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) motivated the walkers with music from the Holy Choirs of Angels Band complete with bagpipes, brass and drums. Volunteers formed an honor guard to carry a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima. As the great crowd processed, large numbers paused and offered a prayer to the Blessed Mother, praying for the nation and for greater success in fighting the culture of death.
Impacting America and the World
The March for Life in Washington, numbering only a few thousand in 1974, has gone on to become one of the largest annual protest marches in the United States. Local marches throughout the country are taking place either the weekend prior to or following the March for Life, the largest of these being the San Francisco Walk for Life, with upwards of 50,000 in attendance. Opponents to abortion are also expanding the fight to include the defense of traditional marriage, taking a stand for the family as the foundation of our society.
In recent years, Americans have exported their enthusiasm and knowledge in defense of the family to countries throughout the world. Thousands in many nations now join in voicing their opposition to abortion, with annual protests in Paris, Rome, Dublin, Ottawa, Bogota and many other cities worldwide.
What has happened in the United States is also occurring globally: young people are joining the ranks to oppose the sin of abortion, putting aging pro-abortion activists on the defensive and in the minority.
St. Joan of Arc—Inspiring a Culture of Purity
TFP and America Needs Fatima volunteers distributed the flyer “St. Joan of Arc and the Culture of Purity,” emblazoned with a golden equestrian statue of the heroic saint, and emphasizing the need to practice the virtue of purity to put an end to the sin of abortion. March participants could take advantage of a free offer attached to the flyer for copies of the life story of Saint Joan of Arc, a picture of the great saint and a selection of quotes extolling the virtue of purity.
Let us ask the powerful intercession of Saint Joan of Arc for our nation, that by her bold example a culture of purity can take root and make the sin of abortion unthinkable.