Annual Illinois Pro-Life March Focuses on Legal Victories and Hope
79 pilgrims set out from the Diocese of Rockford to attend the annual Illinois Pro-Life March in Springfield the morning of March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr. Kevin Butler, one of four priests accompanying pilgrims on the two buses to Springfield coordinated by the diocesan LiFE Office, shared why he made the trip. “I believe life begins at conception,” said Fr. Butler. “I believe life is precious to the end.” But others resist such a positive outlook and do not uphold human dignity. Thus, says Fr. Butler, it is important that we be a beacon of light amid the darkness.
Fr. Butler led one bus in the recitation and meditation of the rosary on the way to Springfield. Meanwhile, on the other, Fr. John McNamara led the faithful in lauds (or the morning prayer portion of the Divine Office) on the way there. On the return trip, Fr. McNamara led his bus in vespers – otherwise known as evening prayer. Fr. Christopher DiTomo and Fr. Timothy Barr also accompanied the capital-bound pilgrims.
Mass prior to the afternoon’s events was celebrated at the Nelson Center Ice Rink. Springfield’s Bishop Thomas Paprocki presided, with Bishops David Malloy of Rockford and Louis Tylka of Peoria concelebrating; the latter also served as the homilist. Fr. Godfrey Mullen, currently Bishop-designate of the Diocese of Belleville, also concelebrated. Mullen’s installation as Bishop is set for May 1.
College students and missionaries associated with weDignify, (an organization that equips up-and-coming pro-life leaders to listen to and dialogue respectfully with peers who may not agree on life issues) helped Mass attendants check in and assisted with ushering and directing during the liturgy. Based on the number of claimed Mass tickets, 1,414 Catholics participated (not including concelebrating clergy).
Bishop Tylka emphasized the appropriateness of the day’s events falling on St. Joseph’s feast. Joseph was the guardian of the Holy Family. He mirrored God, who is the Guardian of His people. Bishop Tylka said that, like Joseph, we must preserve what has been entrusted to us. The gurglings and cries of infants intermingled with the homily, evincing the vitality of the next generation of saints. The Eucharistic prayer reminded all present of God’s intimate care for His creatures with the familiar words, “You give life to all things and make them holy.”
After Mass and lunch, pilgrims ventured to the capitol building, where the pre-march activities took place. The numbers seen at the Mass swelled at the rally and march, including many Lutheran believers. The sunny afternoon brought temperatures in the low 70s.
Sister Apollonia of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, bedecked all in blue, serves as a chaplain at Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin and joined the day-long pilgrimage. “Sometimes it’s good to show up, to be with people, to let your voice be heard,” she said as the group of pilgrims made their way to the capitol. She echoed the sentiment that we should emulate St. Joseph by being protectors of life.
The crowd grew. A woman with a walker shuffled by; on the back of her shirt, an image of a youthful Frederick Douglass and the caption, “A Hero Stands.” Over half a dozen guest speakers joined the stage for the rally, which – along with the march, was organized by Illinois Right to Life. Bishop Paprocki opened with a prayer. Peter Breen, executive vice president of the pro-life, pro-family law firm the Thomas More Society, kicked things off. He propounded several legal victories that the firm had a hand in gaining and discussed the current legal battles of importance to a culture that supports life. No human being is disposable, Breen said. With the statue of Honest Abe looming in the background, he said that the Land of Lincoln has lost sight of the values Lincoln stood for, noting the dangerous legalization of assisted suicide in Illinois.
The pro-life movement can easily associate its goals with the pro-freedom agenda of the abolitionist and broader anti-slavery movements of the 19th century that similarly sought to uphold human dignity.
Other speakers at the event included Illinois Rep. Amy Elik; COO of Operation Rescue, Sarah Neely; and the coalitions director of Patients Rights Action Fund, Jessica Rodgers. Rep. Elik noted how her pro-life beliefs were instilled in her through her Catholic faith.
Coach Kramer Soderberg of Millikin University gave a final speech before Lutheran faith leader Rev. Heath Curtis led everyone in a closing prayer. Soderberg said it was fitting to have this march on the feast of St. Joseph. Men should defend women; it is our duty, said Soderberg. The coach also used a timely basketball analogy to communicate the hope he has in the culture of life. Winning does not happen with one person, he explained. Pro-life people are a team. Everyone’s efforts matter. He added that he has never seen hecklers show up to see a bad team. That means the pro-life community is doing something right. Soderberg reminded listeners that Christ has already won the final victory.
The march directly followed the rally. Participants held up a plethora of signs sporting pro-life messages in English and Spanish, including “Social justice begins in the womb” and “Yo soy pro vida.” One marcher with a saxophone added occasional melody and levity to the event. Others prayed rosaries, played songs, and beat out a peppy rhythm on a drum.
Lucy Black, a student at Archangel Academy and one of nine siblings, said her family is important to her and explained that she marched to show mothers who may feel pressured to not keep their child that “there’s a different way you can go, and abortion is not the only way.” Black said she felt indebted to her family.
Therese Stahl, reflecting on the fruits of the day’s pilgrimage, said, “We [the pro-life community] labor in private. We rarely come together as a community. This is an important time to do so, given the challenges in our state.” A large fraction of this ardent community, Stahl pointed out, is the enthusiastic youth.
Lay individuals and families, clergy and religious, finished the march around the block, halting where they had begun. The trees around the capitol were denuded but not dormant. If you looked closely, you could see the little buds of spring stretching toward the light. Hope – ever subtle, seldom showy – endures.
Editorial Note: This article was written for the Diocese of Rockford’s newspaper The Observer. A shorter version of this story was published with that paper and edited by Amanda Hudson. The writer is grateful for the editor’s care and attention in shaping this story.