Pro-Life Advocates Rally for Moms, Babies at Life March South

Hundreds of people braved a cold morning despite ominous reports of an impending winter storm and affirmed their love for mothers and their unborn babies at Louisiana Life March South.

The Jan. 24 event began with a pro-life Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

The bishop said the day's Gospel message from the Book of Matthew mirrors our relationship with God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who will leave the 99 sheep to search for the one lost sheep. 
 Top Right Photo: People march from the State Capitol lawn to Galvez Plaza.
Above Photo: The faithful gathered for a pro-life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge before the Mass. Photos by Debbie Shelley/ The Catholic Commentator"That is not 'reasonable love' ... that is God's love for his people," said the bishop. 

We have changed laws, but we are still surrounded by the "culture of death," Bishop Duca noted. A strong foundation of life must be built.

The church is smarter in emphasizing its care for mothers and babies, according to Bishop Duca. As examples he pointed to diocesan programs such as Walking with Moms and Mary's Hands, as well as local pro-life organizations such as Woman's New Life Clinic. By providing resources and direction and nurturing women's minds, women in need can find hope and say “yes” to life.

"We march on that foundation," said Bishop Duca. "That's why Jesus came. He came to give us life. He loves her so much that he goes out to look for the one who is lost."

Many of the march participants were young people, who are called the "Pro-Life Generation."

"I've been doing this march every year," said Paul Roth, a sophomore at Chesterton Academy of Holy Trinity in Schriever. "I feel like everybody should get a chance at life."

Alacoque Taford, an eighth-grade student at Chesterton Academy, said, "I believe that God has a plan, and if there's a baby, the baby should be born. We shouldn't kill babies."

Lucy Caillouet marched to help others understand that "culture of life" means respecting all life.
People march from the State Capitol lawn to Galvez Plaza."That's something important to stand up for in today's world," Caillouet said.

Jayla Bates, Malaya Lewis, and Analiya Davis, all juniors at Academy of Our Lady High School in Marrero, enjoyed coming together and learning to lead their peers in being pro-life.

"Ms. (Doris) Bridges (moderator of the Pro-Life Club) motivated me and really showed me what the march was like," said Bates. "I wanted to come here for myself."

Allen and Allyson Wiltz of Houma came to celebrate life and honor mothers who choose life by placing their children for adoption. They are members of Maria Immacolata Church in Houma. 

"My wife was adopted," said Allen Wiltz. "We are involved with the Terrebonne-Lafourche Right to Life Association. I believe in the cause. With 98,000-99,000 abortions done a month in the United States, that bothers me."

"My birth mother is my hero because she did not get rid of me," said Allyson Wiltz. "I have another hero, my adoptive mother, because she was the best mother a girl could ever want."
 Bishop Michael G. Duca opens the pro-life rally with prayer.
The march began at the State Capitol lawn. When marchers reached Galvez Plaza for the rally, speakers urged them to talk about the sacredness of life.

Bishop Duca opened the rally with prayer.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, who is a doctor, spoke about the dangers of mail order prescriptions and the misconception that taking them is like taking Tylenol.

He pointed to a federal indictment against  a Louisiana mother and a New York physician concerning abortion pills ordered through the mail. The mother allegedly ordered abortion pills through the New York physician and forced her teenage daughter to take them against her will.

When someone orders abortion pills online, the doctor doesn't know how long the mother has been pregnant, Cassidy said.

"If we can get that in-person visit back and if we can humanize the issue, then we can win the debate. We can win hearts and minds," Cassidy said.

East Baton Rouge Mayor President Sid Edwards told attendees their advocacy will "keep our babies safe and alive."

"When you look at the person next to you, you're looking at a hero," Edwards said. 

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin, an OBGYN, talked about her work with Louisiana Right to Life in making video messages "busting the myths" about abortion.
The Knights of Columbus post the colors during the singing of the National Anthem.
One was of a man whose conception resulted from rape. 

"He did not know until later, when he was a young man. As he was telling me the story ... the message was so strong that he realized what happened to him and he respects life and he wanted to pay that message forward," Griffin said.

Another one was about a woman who delivered a baby conceived from rape.

"When she was holding her baby in her arms, she told me about how difficult that journey was because everyone told her she needed to abort this baby. And I said, 'If I may ask you, why did you choose not to?' She looked at her baby and said, 'Because he's my baby. He's part of me.' It was so beautiful to see that she didn't see herself as victimized a second time, but rather she taught me the meaning of 'love them both.'"

Griffin also encountered a woman with gynecological problems who had been a sex trafficking victim as a youth. The woman has three children she loves and cares for at home.

"As I'm taking her history ... I asked her how did she turn her life around. She said, 'It was my children.'"

Ben Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, emphasized church involvement and support is critical for women with unplanned pregnancies.

"Is your local church communicating with your people in the pews, people in the seats, about where pregnancy resources are in your local community?" Clapper asked.  "That's a takeaway and action step. That's how we can help love them both."