Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Together as Church

The March for Life has been an important yearly event for me, ever since I first went a number of years ago. At that time I was teaching at Thomas More College and I went on the “adult bus”; the other buses were populated by high school students. I missed a day of classes and, because we got in early in the morning, I staggered through my next day classes. I remember the old days of the congressional breakfast with the Kentucky Right to Life delegation, some time for sightseeing, standing around in the cold waiting for the March to start, and the less than comfortable ride home. Being with the Covington delegation and others from all over in that very large crowd on the March itself has always been the high point for me.

For the last couple of years, I have been a teacher and chaperone for Newport Central Catholic High School on a bus filled with students. The ride wasn’t any more comfortable, and breakfast has been on the bus as we headed for the Verizon Center for the Youth Rally and Mass. Being a self-proclaimed youth ministry “junkie,” I was especially energized by the rally and the Mass and eager for the March.

We still stood around and gathered the Covington delegation waiting for the March to begin. This provided me with the opportunity to meet friends from other parishes and schools. And Bishop Roger Foys was there as our leader. There are so many aspects of this trip, but the March for Life on Constitution Ave., up the “hill” and past the Supreme Court building has been the high point. My marching was most determined when I was quiet, reflecting on the scourge of abortion or when I was praying, either silently or chiming in with whatever the group near me might be praying. The March was for me a time of contemplation, prayer and perseverance against the crowd, the distance and the weather.

This year the plan for the schedule was different, with a night’s stay in the Washington area. I was looking forward to this experience because the important parts — rally, Mass and March — would be the same but the schedule would be a bit more leisurely. However, because of a foot injury, I was not able to go — what a bummer. I’d miss the rally and the Mass with all of the bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians, a cardinal or two and 20,000 of your closest friends in the Verizon Center. These events really served to recharge my batteries spiritually, and I had looked forward to them. Of course, I was looking forward to the March and being with my friends on the Pro-Life Commission and others committed to the pro-life cause. What would I do?

Fortunately, Bishop Foys took care of that by declaring, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, as a Day of Prayer and Penance in the diocese. I was with the students as they left for the trip on Wednesday evening. The whole school said a rosary at 9 a.m. on Thursday. I spent some time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament praying for the safety of all the travelers and for the change of heart required to overturn the Roe vs Wade decision that legalized abortion. That evening I assisted Msgr. Neuhaus during the Holy Hour for Life at the cathedral.

I know that it is important to go to Washington, because that is the location of the seat of government that can change the law. Making our voice heard there is aimed directly at the law that illustrates the root cause of the problem. Change the hearts of the elected officials who do not hold life sacred from conception to natural death, appoint pro-life Supreme Court judges and the battle may be won. But now I realize more clearly that there is plenty we can do here, right here at home.

I used to think that in order to get the true flavor of the pro-life movement you just had to go on the March. While that may be true for the fullest experience, it is the power of our prayer that will change those hearts. And that prayer can be at any place and at any time. The power of prayer has no limit in distance and time. We can pray for an end to abortion at any time and in any place. And while many marched in Washington, many of us went on our own little marches to our churches. Instead of a demonstration aimed at the seat of government, many marched to their churches, to God’s house, to pray. Thank you, Bishop Foys, for your leadership, for your very active stance for life and for declaring the Day of Prayer and Penance, which provided a very significant way for those of us who “stayed home” on Jan. 22 to take up our roles in prayer for the success of the pro-life movement.

Deacon Jerry Franzen teaches at Newport Central Catholic High School and a member of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption Parish.

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