More than 5,000 students, families and other pro-life Catholics gathered at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, for a vigil Thursday night before the March for Life.
Attendees filled the pews of the upper church, which is designed to seat about 3,500 people. They crowded into the various Marian shrines on either side of the basilica to worship at the vigil Mass during the National Vigil of Prayer for Life. Hundreds more flocked to the basilica’s crypt, which also has shrines dedicated to the Blessed Mother.
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Bishop Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas, was the principal celebrant and gave the homily at the Mass. Four cardinals and 21 bishops concelebrated Mass with Bishop Naumann, and 50 deacons and 300 seminarians were also present.
“When we march tomorrow, we will march as pilgrims of hope,” Naumann said during the homily after the Gospel reading, which was part of the first chapter of the Gospel of John.
“With the love of God revealed and the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, how can we not have hope?” said Bishop Naumann.
The Gospel reading teaches us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” which the archbishop related to the importance of defending the sanctity of unborn life, saying during his homily that Christ “humbled himself to the point of being an embryo in Maria”.
Bishop Naumann said during the homily that “culture is more important than politics” and urged people to be “witnesses of their fellow men” to help transform people’s hearts.
“To transform our culture, we must touch hearts (with) efforts like Walking with Moms in Need, where we try to surround women in difficult pregnancies with a community of love and support,” the archbishop said.
Bishop Naumann added that Christ told his disciples that “if we are going to follow him, we have to follow him to Calvary; “We have to be prepared to take up the cross.”
Addressing the young people present directly, the archbishop told them that they have “a unique power to be that light” for others, telling them to “be as only young people can be” and remembered Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died at the age of 15 and will be canonized as the first millennial saint in April.
“My dear young people present here, you are called to be witnesses for your companions, you are called to help them know what brought them here tonight,” said Bishop Naumann.
Bishop Naumann celebrated the Mass in place of Bishop Daniel Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, Ohio, who was unable to attend due to a death in his family. Bishop Thomas is the chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Naumann is a member of the committee and is a former chairman.
The archbishop also read some of Bishop Thomas’s notes that he provided, which emphasized that “every human person, preborn and born,” is made “in the image and likeness of God.”
Matthew Montano, a senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, attended the vigil with other fellow Catholics. He told EWTN News’ CNA that he made arrangements to travel to the march at the last minute, adding, “It’s the grace of God that brought me here.”
Montano, who is attending the March for Life for the second time, said he hopes to help “bring to light the atrocities that are happening” by marching in defense of life, adding that the right to life is “the most important thing.” that we have.”
Brenda Alcanta took five buses to get to Washington, DC, from Wisconsin. She told CNA that a friend encouraged her to attend her first March for Life this year and that she plans to attend every year in the future.
“So many people coming together for a cause… it just makes you feel like you’re making a difference,” Alcanta said, emphasizing the importance of the vigil to “pray for women who are considering abortion.”
Before the Mass, the faithful prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. After the Mass, the clergy processed through the aisles of the upper church of the basilica with the Blessed Sacrament and performed adoration. The faithful also prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary during adoration.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter for the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in a variety of outlets, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative, and The Federalist.