Andrew Laffiteau was surprised when organizers of the annual Respect Life Mass approached him inside St. Patrick Cathedral to ask if he would participate in a procession planned for the Jan. 20 liturgy. Initially apprehensive, the 22-year-old’s attitude changed when he learned that each of the 52 red votive candles carried up to the altar by worshippers represented one million babies lost to abortion in the United States during the past 39 years.
“I’m proud to carry one of these candles,” Laffiteau said, glancing down at the information provided in a Mass program. “Each one symbolizes lives lost to this world. But they also represent the joyful aspect of 52 million lives sent up to God.”
Participants in the 2012 Respect Life Mass process into St. Patrick Cathedral carrying candles, each representing one million unborn children killed since Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the United States.
The St. Bartholomew parishioner was part of a large gathering of 400 pro-life volunteers and supporters who turned out for the service which coincides annually with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Jan. 22, 1973
Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. Celebrated by Bishop Kevin Vann, this year’s Mass included prayers for “Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life” from the new Roman Missal. The prayers were designed specifically for the Church in the United States.
During the procession, Betsy Kopor, coordinator of Rachel Ministries, placed the Book of the Innocents in front of the glowing tiers of votives. The ledger contained the names of children lost to abortion in the Diocese of Fort Worth.
“We honor them at this Mass, too,” Kopor said, explaining how women receiving post abortion help at a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat name their babies during a memorial service.
Father Joe Pemberton, rector of St. Patrick Cathedral, and several other priests from the diocese joined Bishop Vann on the altar.
“We remember our prayer this evening that acknowledges God alone has the power to impart the breath of life, and that gift of life is formed in our mother’s womb,” the bishop told the congregation. “We pray as well that moment to moment, day to day we may remain faithful to the sacred trust of safeguarding the dignity of every human life.”
Bishop Kevin Vann is joined by several priests and deacons of the diocese on the altar during the Jan. 21 Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Vann also referenced the Obama administration’s decision to deny Church-related institutions a “conscience clause” exemption regarding contraceptive coverage in their employee health care plans. The announcement from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius came earlier in the day and is considered an assault on religious freedom by U.S. Catholic bishops.
“Even as we hear the discouraging news about no change in the HHS regulations regarding the protection of conscience, we gather as a people of faith, strength, and conviction,” the bishop said. “Never give in to the negative spirit of anger and discouragement, but, rather, walk by faith.”
He encouraged his listeners to work, live, preach, and proclaim the Gospel of life in the public square, so religious freedom and conscience is never limited and “that Caesar may never sit where God sits.”
The bishop said one of the prayers in the new English translation of the Roman Missal ends the Mass with the words, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
“That is what we do this evening,” Bishop Vann continued. “We go forth glorifying God by the commitment we have to live the Gospel of Life with courage and love.”
Sponsored by the Diocesan Catholics Respect Life Office, the Mass was one of several local events marking Sanctity of Life month. Pro-life supporters from Fort Worth also turned out for the 2012 Roe Memorial Mass, march and rally held Jan. 21 in Dallas, the 3rd annual Hike for Life organized by the youth of St. Stephen Church in Weatherford, and parish-sponsored respect life Masses. Thirty Youth for Life teens from the diocese and their chaperones joined the estimated crowd of 300,000 in Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life.
A Book of the Innocents, a ledger containing the names of unborn children lost to abortion in the Diocese of Fort Worth, stands in front of a pyramid of candles in front of the altar at the annual Respect Life Mass.
Chanacee Ruth-Kilgore called the record-breaking attendance at the diocesan Respect Life Mass and the growing involvement of parishioners in pro-life activities “heartening.” The director of Catholics Respect Life is particularly impressed with the tenacity and enthusiasm demonstrated by teens and young adults. Recent Gallup polls suggest more young people — especially those in the 18 to 34-age bracket — identify themselves as anti-abortion.
“It’s wonderful to see how they are affecting society and are willing to stand up and be a voice,” Ruth-Kilgore said enthusiastically. “This generation of young people grew up with the science of sonograms, so there’s no question this (fetus) is a human being to them. That’s key.”
Despite positive advances made in protecting life, the advocate admits there’s more work to do.
“I want to encourage people to pray for an end to abortion and all offenses to the sanctity and dignity of life,” she added.
Kevin and Michele Vina of Boyd brought their six children to the Mass because, “we need to respect life any way we can, show support for our bishop, and be a part of the Culture of Life.”
The couple, who are expecting twins in April, say pro-life values are part of the fabric of their family.
“Promoting life is important,” Kevin Vina said. “There’s a lot working against us. We have to do anything we can to be on the winning side.”
Copyright © 2011 by North Texas Catholic