
Friday January 23, 2004
Catholic Rally and Youth Mass at March for Life Fills Washington's MCI Stadium to Capacity
WASHINGTON, DC, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Over 15,000 youth filled the Washington MCI Center yesterday for a youth rally and Mass immediately preceding the March for Life. After the youth sang joyfully with Catholic monk rapper Fr. Stan Fortuna and other pro-life musicians, three Cardinals, 21 Bishops and 300 priests concelebrated the Mass.
The Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, was graced with the moving singing of the Bishop McNamara High School Gospel Choir.
After the Mass, Cardinal McCarrick asked the 700 seminarians in attendance to stand. Their rising was greeted with massive applause, and the Cardinal quipped to his brother bishops "you see your Excellencies, help is on the way."
Many participants were brought to tears when the Cardinal asked young men and boys in the crowd who may feel God is calling them to the priesthood to stand. He asked the same of young ladies and girls who felt called to religious life. Between the two groups, hundreds stood, and thousands and thousands applauded.
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