Hundreds Rally for the Unborn at Life March South

Days after nearly 8 inches of snow fell in Baton Rouge during a record-breaking winter storm for Louisiana, hundreds of people marched at the state capitol area for the unborn.

The theme of the January 26 Louisiana Life March South event was “Every Life Worth Living.”

The event was sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life, Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Knights of Columbus, Louisiana Baptist Convention, United Pentecostal Church of Louisiana, Louisiana Family Forum, and Concerned Women for America.

Before proceeding to the state capitol for the march, attendees gathered at St. Joseph Cathedral for a Respect Life Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca.

The bishop reminded attendees in his homily that they march to proclaim the truth that life begins in the womb, and it should be given the dignity it deserves.

Top right photo: Marchers carried banners and pro-life signs expressing their pro-life views as they walked from the State Capitol to Galvez Plaza in Town Square. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
Above Photo: Bishop Michael G. Duca, joined by Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and priests from the diocese, celebrated a pro-life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral prior to Louisiana Life March South. Bishop Duca and Archbishop Emeritus Hughes joined in the march. 
People talk about abortion as a good thing, a medical procedure, even health care. There’s also talk about how it provides freedom for women, etc. Those claims only work if people ignore the value of the human life being taken, the bishop explained.

He noted that the march took place on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul. Before his encounter with Jesus, St. Paul zealously persecuted Christians and witnessed the murder of the first martyr of the church, St. Stephen. After his encounter with Christ, his life was transformed, and he zealously preached the Gospel.
Father Josh Johnson led the opening prayer for the rally at Galvez Plaza. Bishop Duca led the opening prayer for the march at the State Capitol lawn.

















After Mass, attendees assembled at the state capitol lawn. They were greeted by a snowman that was built from snow remaining from the storm.

People of all ages carried pro-life signs, pushed babies in strollers, and snapped selfies during the march to Galvez Plaza in Town Square.

Father Josh Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge, gave a stirring message of compassion and led those gathered in prayer.

Speaking of St. Paul’s conversion, Father Johnson said, “As St. Stephen was being stoned to death, St. Stephen did not condemn St. Paul. He prayed for St. Paul. God heard the prayer of St. Stephen and in Jesus Christ appeared to St. Paul on the road to Damascus -- he came close to St. Paul. He encountered Jesus Christ, the face of Jesus Christ, and he heard the voice of Jesus Christ. He had a profound conversion of heart and became a disciple of Jesus and a great disciple maker of Jesus Christ.”

Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., urged attendees to work together in voicing their pro-life beliefs.Father Johnson added, “I believe that there are so many women, so many mothers in our community who have experienced the pain of abortion or who right now are currently considering abortion. God is not calling us to condemn them. God is calling us to imitate St. Stephen and to pray for them, intercede for them that Jesus Christ may come close to them; that in seeing the face of Jesus and hearing the voice of Jesus, they too, like St. Paul, can become great disciples and disciple makers."

East Baton Rouge Mayor President Sid Edwards, a father of four children, talked about the positive impact his two autistic sons, Chase and Jack Ryan, make in his life.

He and his wife, Beanie, expected all their children would be active, play ball, go to college, etc. When his sons were born with autism, Edwards prayed to God and the Blessed Mother and asked, “Why?”

“Then I got the answer. And God sends messages and answers so uniquely. A lot of folks wouldn't have wanted those two boys. There are many who if, while that precious baby is in the womb, find out (there’s a problem), abortion is often the option. But here's something that may seem simple, but true – everything I've done in my professional and personal life has been touched by those two beautiful boys.”

A graduate of Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge, Edwards drew from his background as a winning coach to emphasize that pro-life advocates must remain vigilant. Edwards coached at several area schools, including Redemptorist High School and Catholic High School, both in Baton Rouge.

A Lunch for Life for middle and high school youth was held at St. Joseph Cathedral after the march. Photo provided by Trey Weaver, coordinator of the youth and young adult ministry office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge
“I ask you not to get lax, just like I ask my football team. We might have the lead in the fourth quarter, but there's somebody coming for us, and it could be anything from the opponent to the devil or evil.”

Speaker Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., also emphasized the importance of “making your voice heard” in supporting life.

“Every life really is worth living, and we've had too many debates over this in last few decades. Black lives matter, all life matters … Life is worth living from the womb to the tomb and beyond; and we're seeing that we're one blood and one human race. We're not fighting over skin color.”

Many young people attended the event and voiced their pro-life stances.

Karly Dummons, a sixth-grade student at Dufrocq School in Baton Rouge and altar server at St. George Church in Baton Rouge, expressed her desire to send a message of encouragement to mothers considering abortion.

“Since you have the gift of life, why don't you also give the baby a gift of life? This life is given to you. God always has your back. Not only is it your child, but it's a whole other person, just like you were, and you should also give them a chance.”

Destiny Greggs, a St. Isidore parishioner and student at Zachary High School, shared her reassuring message to mothers.

“Everything will turn out okay. You just need to have a little bit of faith and pray, and God will get you through the hardships of the pregnancy.”

Following the march, the office of youth and young adult ministry of the Diocese of Baton Rouge hosted a “Lunch for Life” at St. Joseph Cathedral.

“Lunch for Life was an opportunity for area youth groups to gather together for lunch and fellowship, as well as an opportunity to unpack and process what they experienced during the Life March and rally,” said Trey Weaver, coordinator of the youth and young adult office. “Teens and adults from St. Isidore and Our Lady of Mercy joined in a fruitful time of conversation about what it means to be pro-life.”

A snowman built from snow remaining in the area after a winter storm greeted marchers at the State Capitol Lawn. Photo by Louisiana Right to Life.