April 4, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – A crystalline blue sky and spring-like temperatures backdropped the first-ever Virginia March for Life where nearly 7,000 Virginians descended on the State Capitol in Richmond April 3 to demonstrate to “stop pro-abortion extremism” in the Commonwealth. A vibrant crowd of thousands of young people waded through the streets and blanketed the entire front lawn of the Capitol where inside Virginia delegates met in their caucuses.
Mass for Life
The day began with Mass for about 2,500 young people at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Most Reverend Barry Knestout, Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, celebrated the Mass. The Diocese of Arlington held a Mass earlier in the morning with Most Reverend Michael Burbidge for those traveling from northern Virginia. LifeSiteNews was present for the Mass in Richmond.
Bishop Knestout relayed the progress and setbacks the pro-life movement has seen in the past 50 years. He noted that “there are many who are determined to perpetuate the culture of death. The anti-life movement continues to push for more radical anti-life legislation…” He highlighted as examples of this State Del. Kathy Tran’s radical abortion bill and “our governor [who] added his own callous remarks regarding the casual indifference that would be paid to a child born alive after a failed abortion attempt.”
“The temptation is to respond to the hostility of abortion advocates with hostility of our own…but we are disciples of Christ. We are called always to love,” he said. Quoting St. John Chrysostom who preached on the gospel referring to Christians being sheep among wolves, Bishop Knestout reinforced that “‘He [the Lord] knows that moderation, not a fierce defense beats back a fierce attack.’ So it is with us.”
Following the Mass, a Consecrated Virgin of the Diocese of Arlington, China Briceño spoke about the need to act daily to bring about the end of abortion. She encouraged students to “remember your own dignity” and to “let a purity of your love shine huge and bright in this darkness.”
“It takes a lot of courage to live a life of purity, a life of sacrificial love like Jesus did. Be that light,” she said. Referring to the National School Walkouts that occurred a year ago after the Parkland, FL school shootings, she noted how “young people have the power to change the dynamics, to change the voice, to change what’s going on and to do something for all those unborn babies who are dying even now. Be their voice.” Finally, she urged the teens to fast and pray, and to ask themselves “how deep is our commitment to the pro-life issues? Is it a once a year commitment, which is a great start… Or can we then begin to pray and fast?”
The March for Life Rally
Once at the State Capitol, a line-up of prominent figures in both the national and state-level pro-life movements took the stage. Father Gino Rossi, pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Richmond, led the crowd in an opening prayer.
The next speakers included Melissa Ohden, survivor of a saline infusion abortion, Ryan Bomberger, founder of The Radiance Foundation, Felicia Pricenor, Associate Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, Olivia Gans Turner, President of the Virginia Society for Human Life, Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation, and Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life.
Almost all of the speakers jabbed Governor Ralph Northam’s extreme infanticide comments in January, some with ironic humor. Olivia Gans Turner noted that she “likes to give credit where credit is due…If Ralph Northam gave you something this year, he gave you reason to raise your voices.” Ryan Bomberger touted how “it’s funny that the party of slavery, the KKK, of Jim Crow, of voter suppression through poll taxes and literacy tests all of a sudden acts offended and outraged at their own DNA. Just sayin’.”
Finally, a surprise visit from Senate and House pro-lifers, as well as an address by Speaker of the House Kirk Cox excited and stunned both the crowd and March for Life organizers.
During Speaker Cox’s address, voters in the crowd cheered “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
The March then cascaded through the streets of downtown Richmond. Joyful cheering and chanting, as well as singing songs like “Jesus loves the little children” drowned out the din of the city.
The chorus of youthfulness, life, and love for life trumpeted through the streets and conveyed, not an air of desperation and despair, but one of hope and the possibility that, with arms linked and heads held high, life will win in Virginia.