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by Kathy White
Special to The Leaven
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tens of thousands of pilgrims — more than 300 from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas — traveled from all over the United States to peacefully march for life on Jan. 24. This year’s theme was: “Life: Why We March.” And that was precisely the focus of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s homily at the standing-room-only vigil Mass on Jan. 23.
Bishop Daniel Thomas, head of the Diocese of Toledo and the current chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, was scheduled to preside over the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Due to a death in his family, Archbishop Naumann was asked to step in.
“It was such a blessing for [us] that the USCCB team would turn to our archbishop in this situation,” said Debra Niesen, lead consultant for pro-life ministries for the archdiocese.
“It was a special gift to our young pilgrims to see their archbishop lead in this way. Seeing him as the main celebrant of the vigil Mass made an impression on them that I am certain they will never forget,” she added.
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First-time pilgrim Juanita Hernandez from St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, was visibly moved by her experience.
“Watching Archbishop Naumann take care of all the people that stopped him on the march was life-changing,” she recalled, tears streaming down her face. “So many people stopped him —strangers — and he selflessly gave them his full attention with joy and humility. Like they were the only people in the crowd. He is truly our shepherd. Almost like Jesus here on earth.”
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Overland Park’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School sophomore Macy Hughes, and member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea, was equally inspired by the archbishop’s commitment to serve.
“He knew the community needed someone to preside over Mass, and his willingness to step in shows his support of [his] people. Such leadership and commitment,” Hughes continued, “it inspires me to share the word of God and share the mission of the Catholic Church: to be pro-life.”
Quoting Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Naumann challenged the gathered youth to “Be a light to the world as only young people can.”
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Archbishop Naumann also reflected on the beauty of the basilica from his “perch” — the ambo where he stood to give his homily.
“This church is adorned with beautiful mosaic art,” he said. “But it is the beautiful mosaic on the floor of the basilica that is most impressive tonight. This gathering of people from so many different places and coming together to stand for life and to be a light in our culture. You are called to be witnesses to your peers.”
Angie Valenzuela, a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas and a member of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, agreed.
“We are the future and the light. We have to be a light to others so we can all seek Jesus together. If there’s ever something someone wants to learn about our God at our church, I want to share what I know to help them.”
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Archbishop Naumann warned the youth it’s not going to be easy.
“Jesus never promised the disciples easy,” he said. “We have to follow him all the way to Calvary.”
Daniel Moore, a sophomore at Hayden High School in Topeka and a member of St. Patrick Parish in Scranton, accepts the challenge.
“My generation has a very distorted image of love, which in turn makes them have this lie that abortion is OK and is a right even though it is not,” he said. “I think our generation needs more people telling them that families are good, and that life is valuable at all stages — from conception to natural death.”
To view more photos from the March for life and relevant events, click here.