Marching In Spite of the Obstacles

On January 22, several hearty seventh and eighth graders, joined by some fairly tenacious chaperones, braved inclement weather, surmounted frustrations and ultimately added their voices to the crowd gathered on the Mall to defend the lives of the unborn. At first it appeared that the annual pilgrimage would be thwarted, school was delayed by an hour and the bus company, originally hired to transport the students, cancelled due to the icy, snowy conditions. With alacrity and a series of quick phone calls, Anna Colella dialed up a new bus driver who met us at school at 9:20.

Mass was our first destination. With Fr. Michael Tietjen, one of the chaperones, planning to concelebrate at the mega Mass in the Verizon Center, we had no time to lose. W.D. of Middledorf Bus Company, our cheerful and speedy bus driver got us to the Verizon Center with 5 minutes to spare. Unfortunately, the Center was filled to capacity. Billy Ruppert, former track star and repeat marathoner, sprinted after a gaggle of high school girls who were thought to have given up their seats, to no avail. Instead the group of us trudged several blocks to Constitution Hall where an over-flow Mass was being celebrated under the careful management of our former pastor, Monsignor Barry Knestout and his brother, Father Mark Knestout. The Constitution stage area, cum altar, was filled with concelebrants led by his Eminence, Justin Cardinal Rigali from Philadelphia. As we doffed coats, hats, scarves and mittens at our plush seats, we were swept into the celebration with the vibrant music of Pat Smith, Tony Melendez and the Toe Jam Band. The band is so named as Tony Melendez, who does not have hands, plays his guitar with his toes. Also, the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Schola lifted us up with resplendent melodies. Father Christopher B. Rogers, homilist, spoke directly to the numerous young people in the congregation emboldening them to embrace the lives gifted to them for the service of others, as per God’s plan.

We were blessed. In fact, Karen Campion ( ’03 graduate of St. John’s) with her high school pilgrims and the St. John’s Youth and Family group were told, once arrived at the Verizon Center that both the Center and Constitution Hall were filled. They were sent to St. Patrick’s where a hastily thrown together liturgy, led by a familiar friend of the parish, Fr. Mark White celebrated Mass. One Sister offered her voice to lead the congregation in song which abruptly ended when she went up to receive communion.

After Mass, we squirreled our way to the basement of Constitution Hall to stuff sandwiches and chips down before braving the blustery weather outside. Once outside, we found our way into a huge throng of marchers who were standing still in the nearly freezing rain, along the Mall in front of the National Gallery. With quick thinking, Mary Brogan led our group around the art gallery and unto Pennsylvania Avenue, where we watched the official opening of the March announced by bagpipers. First the Knights of Columbus stepped out, holding a canvas banner which completely spanned the width of Pennsylvania Avenue. Behind them, several women silently held up posters which read, “I regret my abortion.” The effect was compelling. We folded into the crowd, marching nearly to the Supreme Court Building. Half way up the hill, we turned and looked back over a sea of cheerful people: some singing, some praying, and some embracing. There were high school kids, young adults, some parents, pushing strollers and pulling wagons, older veterans of the push to protect life. Banners and posters announced the many states, archdioceses, schools and parishes that were represented. There were many clergy and religious in the crowd. The most fun, however, was watching the impromptu reunions as people sighted each other, screamed, ran and embraced.

Before marching all the way to the Supreme Court building, we turned toward the north to meet our bus. Another friendly bus driver greeted us and offered us the extra bag lunches, left behind by a previous group, if we were hungry. In spite of the cold, the delays, the shut out Masses, we had an awesome experience praising together in worship and uniting with the marchers. Please consider joining us next year.