Close to 300 people braved snow and slippery roads Jan. 22 for the annual Mass for Life in St. Columba Cathedral — praying for deeper respect for human life at all stages.
Bishop David Bonnar, at the beginning of the Mass, welcomed the congregation to celebrate “the wonderful gift of life.” He added that “it’s great to see so many people here despite the snow.”
Bishop Bonnar was the main celebrant of the Mass along with Msgr. Robert Siffrin, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, rector of St. Columba and pastor of Youngstown St. Edward, and Father Matthew Zwilling, vice rector of St. Columba and associate pastor of St. Edward and administrator of Campbell Christ the Good Shepherd, andFather Thomas Cebula, administrator of Louisville St. Louis and Harrisburg Sacred Heart parishes. Several deacons were also present at the altar, and members of the Knights of Columbus served as honor guards.
A number of mothers were present with their children — including some pregnant women. Toward the end of Mass, Bishop Bonnar had a special blessing for expectant mothers and fathers and their babies, as well as a blessing for those who had participated in the annual March for Life two days earlier in Washington.
The Mass for Life is celebrated each year on or around Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandated that abortion be legal in all states — striking down laws restricting abortion in most states.
Last year, the Supreme Court, in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, struck down Roe, ruling that states have the right to legislate on abortion — either allowing it, controlling it, or banning it.
Since then, the U.S. bishops and others in the right-to-life movement have worked to pass legislation to restrict or ban abortion — or to counter efforts by supporters of legal abortion to re-establish a legal right to abortion.
The annual March for Life, also held on or around Jan. 22, this year shifted its focus from protesting Roe to calling for more legislation against abortion (See related story, Page 3).
In his homily, Bishop Bonnar noted how difficult it is to address many issues facing society, but “nowhere is this perhaps truer” than when it comes to the issue of life.
Bishop Bonnar cited the Mass’ second reading, from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, which “cautions against conflict and divisiveness which was prevalent in that community.
“Times have not changed all that much because we live in a world, a country, and even a Church marked by division and divisiveness,” the bishop said. Amid many camps and groups, “St. Paul calls for unity in mind and purpose.”
Yet, the bishop explained: “It is not just the conflicts around this matter but the acerbic, nasty and uncharitable ways that they unfold. Dialogue has become harsh and judgmental.”
Seeing such division and polarization, the bishop noted, the U.S. bishops have developed a prayer for pregnant mothers, which seeks the intercession of Mary, mother of Jesus.
“Mary, Mother of the Church, graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life,” Bishop Bonnar said, quoting the prayer.
“How can we build a culture of life and a civilization of love?” Bishop Bonnar asked. He cited Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Fratelli Tutti” (“On Fraternity and Social Friendship”), in which the pope emphasizes kindness.
Last New Year’s Eve at Evening Vespers, Bishop Bonnar recounted, the pope “spoke about recovering kindness as a personal and civic virtue.”
Pope Francis said, “Kindness is an important aspect of the culture of dialogue, and dialogue is indispensable to live in peace — to live as brothers and sisters, who do not always agree, but who nevertheless speak to each other, listen to each other and try to understand each other.”
“My dear friends,” Bishop Bonnar said, “safeguarding, respect, reverencing and protection of human life in all its forms is rooted in kindness. Quite simply, we need more kindness in our world.”
The power of kindness, Bishop Bonnar said, recently struck him when he was shopping at a local grocery store and encountered a family with a girl “who could not have been more than five years old.”
She was “carrying ever so carefully her baby doll — a little girl, who appeared so real and alive. Though it was only a doll, “what made the doll so real was the tender and loving way she treated it,” Bishop Bonnar said.
The doll is “a powerful image of safeguarding and beholding the precious gift of life.”
Kindness, however, Bishop Bonnar said, “is just as real as in a conversation of two people who see things differently.”
Yet, “there is more to that kindness, for in this sacred liturgy we are blessed to behold the kindness of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist who gives himself to us in all our … weakness.
“As we receive Him today, may He be food for our journey, life for our soul, and a model to embrace,” Bishop Bonnar concluded.
Following Mass, there was a reception in St. Columba Hall, where participants enjoyed refreshments served by Café Augustine, interacted with each other, and had opportunities to learn about such organizations as Right to Life of Mahoning County, Men and Women Untied for Life and the Pregnancy Aid Center.
Those in attendance seemed moved by the Mass.
“The Mass was beautiful,” said Lydia Conklin of Poland Holy Family.
Emily and Jeffrey Parry, from Sharon, Pa., said that they had a special reason for attending.
“We’re expecting,” Emily said with a wide smile.
“This Mass brings it all home for us,” said Jeffrey.
Kristina Henik, a mother of six from Girard St. Rose Parish, said “I bring my kids here every year. We need to teach our kids to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.”
