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Teens, young adults mark 'Roe' anniversary with rallies, prayer
By J.D. Long-García, The Catholic Sun
February 7, 2008
TEMPE — With gravel digging into their knees, 300 Arizona State University students genuflected before the Blessed Sacrament and prayed for an end to abortion atop “A” Mountain last month.
The students followed Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted up the mountain in eucharistic procession Jan. 18, four days before the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
They are part of a growing number of young people who actively support the pro-life cause.
“We see in history that the young, when given the truth, are less immune to inconvenient facts, such as the obvious fact that the unborn human being is human, growing, and a bearer of dignity,” said Mike Phelan, director of Marriage and Respect Life for the Phoenix Diocese.
“The unborn are also completely dependent on the generous protection of those of us fortunate to be walking around, and young people understand this,” he said. “They are [also] willing to contribute to justice efforts which assist women in need who face the temptation of abortion.”
“A lot of us really don’t open our eyes to the magnitude of this issue,” said ASU junior Katy Gill. “This is an event that allows us to see how important being pro-life is and how easy it is to get involved.”
Rachel’s Vineyard, the Aid to Women Center and other pro-life organizations set up information booths and recruited student volunteers.
“People who are pro-choice — they answer only to themselves. People who are pro-life answer to God,” said ASU sophomore Samuel Dias.
Before the procession, students heard from Angela Costentino, a 17-year-old Christ the King parishioner who spoke about dealing with miscarriages, and Adel Carrick, who shared her story of getting pregnant after being drugged and raped.
Twelve Catholic students from Northern Arizona University carpooled from Flagstaff to attend the ASU rally.
“Listening to the actual experiences of the young women who spoke made me realize the importance of becoming more prepared to speak out for life,” said Andrea Navarro, a student intern at Holy Trinity Newman Center in Flagstaff. “It is our responsibility to protect the unborn and to provide positive support on campus for mothers-to-be.”
Bishop Olmsted spoke on Spe Salvi, Pope Benedict’s latest encyclical on Christian hope.
“We need a great hope that is rooted in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why we pray in front of abortion clinics. That’s why we adore our Lord Jesus in adoration,” he said.
“We do this because of the truth of human dignity,” the bishop added. “We do this to proclaim the dignity in each person and the meaning of suffering.”
Amanda Hoyt, president of NAU’s Students for Life group, joined other university students at the Jan. 20 Rally for Life at the state Capitol.
“We stand for the right to life for every human being from conception to natural death and participate in activities that promote the protection of human life,” Hoyt said.
On Jan. 22, the NAU pro-life group staffed a “Life Matters” exhibit outside the University Union Building on campus.
The Mystics of the Sacred Heart, the youth group at St. Margaret Mary in Bullhead City, distributed black pro-life wristbands that read “January 22 Fast and Pray” at all weekend Masses Jan. 19-20. It reminded parishioners to observe the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade as a day of penance.
In Lake Havasu City, children in Our Lady of the Lake Parish’s religious education program joined parishioners in a special Holy Hour of exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Joining the national fight
St. Mary’s High School students joined thousands of pro-lifers from across the nation Jan. 22 for the annual March for Life at the nation’s Capitol.
“During this year’s event I watched their hearts transform right before my very eyes,” said Christina Strafaci, theology teacher at St. Mary’s, of the 32 students who made the trek.
Senior Emilio Torrez noted the vigil Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
“There was a beautiful procession with people of all ages,” he said. “I cried throughout the Mass.”
Torrez was amazed by the number of people “from all over the country coming together to support one cause. It was jaw dropping.”
Fr. Don Kline, vocations director for the Diocese of Phoenix, joined the group in Washington.
“I believe our young people see that abortion is a direct attack on them. They make the connection between the gift of new life as given by God and the value of their own life,” he said.
“Their willingness to make the many sacrifices on this pilgrimage to Washington is definitely a testament to their desire to promote the Gospel of Life,” Fr. Kline added.
The St. Mary’s students — mostly juniors and seniors — slept on a gymnasium floor at a local parish and attended a youth rally before the march.
While some students were away, St. Mary’s High School hosted a “Respect Life Day,” which kicked off with a Mass with Bishop Olmsted.
“Don’t waste your youth. Live it intensely,” the bishop said in his homily, quoting Pope Benedict. “The Church needs you as young people to manifest the face of Jesus Christ.”
Catherine E. Hanley in Flagstaff, Barbara Starbeck in Lake Havasu City, Sylvia White and Joyce Coronel in Phoenix contributed to this story.
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