by Tom Wasilewski, Sacred Heart seminarian

Third-year theologians pause during the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., January 22. The author is third from left.

Nine third-year theologians set out on Wednesday morning, January 21, for the annual March for Life. We left after Mass, a quick breakfast in the refectory and a blessing from Monsignor Monforton. At a service plaza on the Ohio Turnpike, we listened to a popular song playing over the speakers, appropriately titled "Saving a Life." Two hours from Washington, D.C., at Outback Steakhouse, we witnessed to our young waitress about the March—and admitted we were all studying to be priests!

The group arrived at St. Cyprian Parish late, where the pastor, Monsignor Pope, greeted us with snacks. This African-American parish, one mile from the Capitol Building, was home for half of our group; the other half stayed at St. Thomas More Parish further away. We met up the next morning and took the subway to the Verizon Center for the pre-march rally.

The 20,000-seat arena filled up fast with religious brothers, sisters, priests and hundreds of young people. A Catholic band played worship music, young people gave testimonies and everyone prayed a rosary before the Mass.

It was a delight to see Fr. Anthony Camilleri and Fr. Don Lacuesta, graduates of Sacred Heart, among the hundreds of priests in the opening procession. Also present were over twenty bishops, including Bishop Robert Carlson from Saginaw, two cardinals and the papal nuncio. The main celebrant was Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., while a young priest of the archdiocese preached the homily. He spoke of a couple whose seemingly healthy baby was diagnosed with a disease that attacked his nervous system and left him paralyzed. While some may think his life useless, the priest said this precious boy brought more people to Christ than anyone he's known.

Just before leaving, the MC reminded us that everything we do this day will be a witness for Christ.

We left for the National Mall where some 200,000 pilgrims gathered for the March for Life in front of the Capitol. Many Catholic colleges, seminaries, parishes and organizations were represented with large signs. There were families with young children, priests and older folks, but young people made up the largest segment of the crowd.
We met seminarians Nate Harburg and Andy LaFramboise with their group of teens from Saginaw, former seminarian Richard Budd, and friends whom we knew. The March proceeded peacefully up Capitol Hill and ended at the U.S. Supreme Court Building, where some women who regretted their abortions gave testimonies.

People sang hymns, prayed and thanked the police officers lining the streets. We held up our signs, prayed and chatted up fellow marchers from all over the country.

That evening, Monsignor Pope shared with us wisdom that can only come with experience. He said you must first love your people before you can preach to them. But if you love them, you can tell them anything, such as the harder sayings of Jesus.

Why take such a long, tiring and costly trip? Pope John Paul II said it best when he visited the grave of Bishop Oscar Romero in spite of advice to the contrary: "How could I not have gone?"

How could we not have gone to pay our respects to the thousands of innocent lives lost daily in our country? How could we not have gone to show our solidarity with lay people, religious brothers and sisters, and priests from around the nation? The trip was a gift in other ways. It helped us grow in brotherhood by overcoming the hassles of traveling and living in community. It was an opportunity to show our faith, and grow in our faith.