June 2018 SPECIAL EDITION February 2015 Issue | Page 3

February 2015

Being In The Right Place At The Right Time:
VOL Student Michael Klause’s Touching Story
VOL Eighth-grader Michael Klause penned this reflection after traveling to Washington DC for the March For Life

Recently, two of my friends and I journeyed
on a pilgrimage known as the March for Life. It was a
beautiful experience. While there, God presented
Himself to me in a special way.
First of all, God graced me with the
opportunity to attend such an amazing event. Also, not
only was the experience in DC a life changing one,
but the bus ride there was full of fun and adventure,
and the experience would touch the heart of any
Christian. I made new friends that I will never forget.
I had the best chaperones a person could ask for, and
we watched some of the most inspirational movies of
all time. One thing they told us that everyone on the
bus would remember for the entire trip was: “We are
pilgrims, not tourists,” which helped me to open my
heart to God.
After the 26 hour bus ride (which was worth
it), we arrived at the hotel, ate dinner, and went to bed
to prepare ourselves for the next day’s adventures.
When we woke up the next morning, we were all
excited to be in DC, so we got up, got ready, ate
breakfast, and rushed onto the bus. That day, we
headed to the White House, where we would start the
Rosary, then march from there to the nearby Planned
Parenthood Center. As we prayed outside of the

VOL students (l. to r.) Michael Klause, Bryan Tran, and Anthony
Ribando were among thousands of students from across the nation to participate in the 2015 March for Life in Washington D.C.

abortion clinic, many weeping women exited with
their heads hung low. Our prayer was not only for the
unborn child, but also for the mother in desperation. It
was then that I realized that we were in the right place
at the right time. Afterwards, we went to a Christian
concert and Adoration. When I looked around the
stadium and saw thousands of Catholics on their knees
praying, I could truly feel God’s presence. I felt His
calling. He was calling me to be a speaker, to carry
His message to everyone I know, and to spread the
Word of God. God sealed the message when my
favorite song was played, “Oceans.” It was a beautiful
night for me, and I almost found myself in tears. The
next day, we marched on the Capitol of our nation. We
were the voice for millions of babies that never had
the opportunity to be heard or to defend themselves.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Why should these
babies die for the parents? As we continued to march,
groups would join in. Finally, we got to the top of
Capitol Hill. Looking back for miles, there was
nothing but Christians being the voice for the silent.
That view was one of the last experiences of my very
spiritual journey. I think I’ll remember that moment
for the rest of my life.

VOL student Michael Klause (bottom right corner) and
hundreds of other students from the Archdiocese of New
Orleans represent the pro-life youth in our area with their
purple in the 2015 March for Life in Washington D.C.

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