It was a rainy
Saturday morning and we were really hoping that it would
clear up like it was supposed to. Many phone calls were
being made, and much discussion of where and how the youth
of St. Peter, St. Mary, St. Thomas, and St. Matthew parishes
would find each other... the parishes being spread from San
Diego to San Jose. The youth were using this day's occasion,
to once again meet each other and together, walk, proclaim,
and pray for life and it's sanctity. And I was very proud of
them, and blessed to be with them. And this walk for me was
to serve as a great source of hope.
First, some background for those who might not be familiar
with our diocese. St. Peter's is a Chaldean Catholic
diocese. Being pro-life is a subject that our people are not
yet fully aware of. Sure, we are pro-life... any Christian
has to be. But our Chaldean/Assyrian culture treats sex
outside of marriage as a very immoral taboo, and along with
that abortion is an even bigger taboo. Many people in the
older generations don't realize that the amount of influence
local culture has on the younger people. Unfortunately, many
are unaware of the great message that the late Pope John
Paul II, the Great, was emphasizing in his theology of the
body, which was not so much a new message or outlook, but
really a re-emphasis. Yet, these youth who came to this
event are very much aware of the plight of all our brothers
and sisters being killed daily in this horrendous plight
upon our society... abortion. They had come, ready to walk,
and to pray.
Last year was the first Walk we participated in. We had only
a couple of weeks to get the word out, and a handful of
people came. That handful would come away from the walk,
determined to return every year until the abolition of
abortion. They would also participate in the 40 days for
life. A year later, they were here again, and with others
with them.
We in Northern California were delighted to have the
seminarians from Mar Abba Seminary join us. They had come
along with almost 50 other people from John Paul the Great
Catholic University, the university where they attend
classes. Our group from San Jose had been expanded by a
handful, and St. Matthew and St. Thomas had hands-full of
youth as well.
From small beginnings, great things... The first Walk for
Life had about 7,000. Last years, had over 30,000. This year
was even bigger... my guess 35,000. Although numbers do not
determine the importance of an issue, it enheartens us to
know so many others give are willing to walk for such an
important walk. It a delight to see older people, priests,
friars, nuns, and others walking.
And yet, there was something even more significant: the
number of young people, high school, college youth.
Everywhere I went, and everywhere I looked, they were the
majority. They were singing in groups, praying, carrying
signs, and happy to be there despite the rains! These young
people in America are active and involved in this fight
against the plague of abortion. They are idealists, and want
to make the difference, to proclaim God's love, and the
sanctity of life! They are not asleep, or too busy playing
their Playstation3's and watching their tv's. They have
created outreach programs, campus ministry programs, and
prayer groups.
Our diocese youth are the same: idealistic, and filled with
apostolic zeal for the sanctity of life. Everyone I talked
to about the issue was passionate and dedicated. Our
seminarians have been involved in prayer groups in front of
abortion mills. So have many of the youth from San Jose,
Turlock, and Ceres. We had listened sympathetically to
confessions from the "Silent No More" group of men and women
who told us their terrifying personal experiences with
abortion. Even then, we were amazed and encouraged by their
firm stance in witnessing and proclaiming the message of
life. Those confessions had touched the hearts of our youth
and they would be involved again, in 40 days for life, and
the next walk, and other programs. Some would preach the
message of life to friends and school mates, not fearing to
be pro-life in a society that will ridicule them and oppress
them for that. And everyone wanted to make next year's walk
a bigger event for our diocese.
This year, I once again thanked Fr. Pavone, from Priests for
Life, for all his hard work and diligence, and took the
opportunity to get a photo with him, and a blessing as well.
Looking back at the walk, I fondly recall one site that
stood out. Small kids, very young in age, had walked through
rain, and when one man started reciting the entire rosary
{not just five decades, but all decades}, they were quick to
pull up beside him, pulling out their rosaries and joining
in. Blessed be God! I don't know how much they understand
about what abortion is really, and I don't know how much
they understand the "philosophical" and "legal" aspects of
the "debate", but they had a love for God, and the prayer of
the rosary which they prayed for the intention of life.
Luckily, one of our youths saw it as well and took a photo
of the two standing next to the man saying the rosary. I was
very happy to see that photo.
I have faith, and hope... Love will overcome.
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