HERE AT THE HEART
The night before the March for Life , the men attended the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D . C . The vigil is hosted annually by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops . The next morning , the group took part in a pre-march rally featuring pro-life speakers who gave powerful testimonies and talks , including Father Mike Schmitz ’ s keynote address .
Matthew Chartier , a seminarian with the Diocese of Marquette , wrote about Father Schmitz ’ s speech in a reflection for Mosaic online in February .
“‘ You matter !’ Father Mike Schmitz , a priest of Duluth , Minnesota , proclaimed this over and over again before we marched on the streets of Washington D . C . It is such a basic truth , but we live in a society that has forgotten our dignity ,” Chartier wrote in an excerpt from the reflection .
During the March for Life , Chartier was thinking of his friend from high school who resisted tremendous pressure from teachers and others in his small hometown to have an abortion . She wasn ’ t Catholic or even Christian , yet it was clear to Chartier that she knew taking the life of her child was wrong .
“ She had some sense of faith , enough to believe that life cannot be taken , even as people told her she couldn ’ t have a career or a life if she had the baby ,” Chartier said . “ She believed this not because it was based in religion or because her mom told her , but because she knew within the depth of her heart and the reason of her mind — as a mother — it would be wrong .”
Chartier admired her courage and fortitude at such a young age . While walking at the march , he prayed the rosary for her . He also prayed for the healing of two other women he knows who made a different choice .
Chartier never had the opportunity to participate in the March for Life as a teenager . The experience proved to be even better than he imagined , and it was surprising at times .
“ I didn ’ t expect a full-scale marching band to be there . It was such a joyful event while still being prayerful ,” Chartier said . “ And this was the first time everyone in our class was able to go on a trip together . Knowing that we traveled as classmates united in prayer for life made it really special .”
The group carried a banner representing Sacred Heart during the march . People from Michigan stopped them to say hello along the route , including a group from the Michigan Knights of Columbus . They also met seminarians from other parts of the country .
“ I think that ’ s one of the most fascinating things about the March for Life , to see people from all over wanting to represent these babies who don ’ t have a voice ,” said Galeano . “ It ’ s so beautiful to get to meet and talk with people from all walks of life and to bump into people you know .”
The group spent the day after the march touring the Lincoln Memorial , Arlington National Cemetery , and other sites . They concluded their trip with Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of St . Matthew the Apostle before making their way back to Detroit . The March for Life made a profound impact on Chartier . “ Dr . Mary Healy makes a beautiful point in some of our classes when she talks about evangelization . She mentions the orphan spirit in our world , wherein so many people feel like they ’ re orphans because they don ’ t know the Father ’ s love ,” said Chartier . “ When we learn about his love , we realize that with him we can do anything . When I think back to my friend from high school , she knew that . She had the baby . She went to college and got a nursing degree . We don ’ t have to live like orphans . We can trust in God even when times are tough . I think that ’ s our mission as pro-life Catholics , to convey that message to others .”
Though Galeano had attended the march before , he was affected by it , too . He feels an even stronger conviction to stand up for life and how he might make a difference .
“ I think it ’ s such an important role for us to be involved in this work , specifically as future ministers ,” Galeano said . “ Fighting to change laws is very important . But as future ministers , even more than changing laws , we have to change hearts in order to reach those people who don ’ t believe in the dignity of every human life .”
Both men pray that one day , a different kind of March for Life will happen in D . C ., one that celebrates progress made and hearts changed . shms . edu 31