‘Love is the Answer’

March 1, 2023

The Sisters of Life and the Knights welcome thousands of young people to a new pre-March rally

By Cecilia Hadley

March 1, 2023

Sister Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life welcomes a crowd of several thousand young people to Life Fest. (Photo by Matthew Barrick)

More than 4,000 young people and other pro-life advocates filled the D.C. Entertainment and Sports Arena before the March for Life on Jan. 20 for Life Fest, an event co-sponsored by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus.

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori celebrated Mass for a crowd consisting primarily of high school and college students, who also spent time in eucharistic adoration and had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Before Mass, Sister Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life emceed a lineup of speakers and musical performances that included testimonies about adoption, healing after abortion, and the dignity of every human person.

The rally’s theme, “Because Love is the Answer,” highlighted the importance of seeing the pro-life cause as more than a legal battle.

“We are here to celebrate life, to march, to continue until every heart knows the truth that love is the answer,” Sister Bethany explained in her opening remarks. “Because love is a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.”

In contrast, she said, abortion — so often presented as an answer to difficult circumstances — is a lie that damages both men and women: “Abortion is not pro-woman; it is used to coerce and manipulate women. … And it strikes at the heart of men, men who are called to be protectors and providers.”

Adoption advocate David Scotton recounted how his birth mother decided to place him for adoption after nearly going through with an abortion. She changed her mind in part because of the words of a woman outside the abortion facility: “Your baby has 10 fingers and 10 toes.”

“I am here because of people like you, pro-life people who do the work on the ground,” said Scotton.

Students kneel in prayer during eucharistic adoration. (Photo by Matthew Barrick)

Peter and Tricia DeMaio shared the story of their conversion of heart after choosing abortion in high school and again in college. A series of family tragedies helped the couple come to a deeper understanding of love.

“If we weren’t sacrificing for each other, that love wasn’t quite real, it wasn’t quite full, it wasn’t truly authentic,” Peter DeMaio said. The onetime high school sweethearts now have seven children.

Another Sister of Life, Sister Mary Casey O’Connor, spoke with her twin sister, Casey Gunning, who has Down syndrome.

“Casey has taught me it’s OK to have weaknesses, it’s OK to have needs,” Sister Mary Casey said. “Our weaknesses are actually a place where we can learn to need God and need each other.”

“God doesn’t make mistakes,” her sister added. “He gives every life as a gift. God has given my life a meaning and a purpose and a very special mission — to love.”

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori celebrates Mass, together with three bishops and more than 80 priests. (Photo by Matthew Barrick)

Life Fest concluded with Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Lori, together with three bishops and more than 80 priests. Dominican Father Joseph Hagan, a young priest and Knight who has worked with the Sisters of Life for several years in New York City, delivered the homily.

He spoke about how important it is to listen to women who are vulnerable to abortion or have had an abortion.

“In a particular way, I want to call out all the men,” Father Hagan said, noting that most of the women served by the Sisters of Life don’t have even one man in their lives who loves them and affirms their dignity.

“I think of our beautiful mother [Our Lady of Guadalupe],” Father Hagan said. “She tells Juan Diego, ‘Am I not here, I am who am your mother?’ How often do we [men] need to say, ‘I’m here, and I’m your brother.’”

Matt Salomons, grand knight of Friar Council 5787 at Providence College in Rhode Island, was one of several college Knights volunteering at Life Fest. Arriving before sunrise, the Knights helped to set up as busloads of participants arrived and found their seats.

The presence of so many high school and college students was heartening to the college senior. “To see all those young people there gives a lot of hope for both the future of the pro-life movement and the future of the Church,” Salomons said.

Supreme Officers and members of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors were also in attendance.

“We’re delighted to partner with the Sisters of Life to inspire the next generation,” Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said. “Together, we’ll push forward.”

*****

CECILIA HADLEY is senior editor of Columbia.

Chana Gaskins and her three children enjoy some time playing outside.

‘Love is the Answer’

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