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| Marchers stream down Constitution Avenue, which was lined with TFP standards Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
Dropped off near the Washington Monument, we quickly joined the massive rally marching from the National Mall to the Supreme Court. Unsure of the actual number of participants, specious estimates made by the media range from “tens of thousands” to “100,000.” To be honest, from what I saw these tallies seem paltry. In fact, I would even go so far as to say there were as many as half a million people in attendance. Whatever the number, the one thing for certain is my photos don't do justice to the March.
With Donald Trump being the first President ever to speak at the rally, I expected to see some poor deluded counter protestors, especially the way the media likes to lie and drum up controversy. However, from my vantage point I didn’t see any. This isn’t to say they weren’t there, I’m just saying I didn’t see them. Unfortunately, I did spot a handful of anti-Catholic signs; however, these focused on religious differences, not abortion.
Considering the gravity of the cause, I was more than a little surprised by the festive atmosphere. Curious, I was told many of the younger marchers consider the rally to be a celebration of life and family, as opposed to just a somber protest against Roe v. Wade. Exited and energized, they were loud and vocal, but very well behaved. I’m happy to say, I didn’t see any provocateurs harassing or goading them into trouble.
Eventually splitting from the March, our group went to St. Mary Mother of God Church (727 5th St.) to attend the packed Eighth Annual Votive Mass of the Holy Innocents for the remembrance and repose of the soul of pro-life activist Nellie Jane Gray. The most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by Celebrant Msgr. Charles Pope, Pastor of Holy Comforter—St. Cyprian Church in Washington, D.C. The Deacon was Rev. James Bradley, Assistant Prof. of Canon Law at Catholic University of America; and the Subdeacon was Rev. Ernest Cibelli, Pastor at St. Mary Catholic Church in Hagerstown, Maryland. The Sacred Ministers were dutifully assisted by several servers; Organist R. Bray McDonnell; the Schola Cantorum of St. John the Baptist Church in Allentown, New Jersey; and the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary Mother of God.
The Mass was beautiful and we met a lot of nice people down there, but the truth is I hope the need for us to gather again under these circumstances becomes unnecessary. I will continue to support the pro-life cause as best I can, nonetheless I long to see the day when all the abortion mills are closed and we finally put an end to this barbaric and baleful practice. Only then can we converge on the nation’s capital and truly celebrate life and family. Holy Innocents, ora pro nobis!
~ Giovanni di Napoli, January 25th, Feast of the Conversion of San Paolo
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| (L) The first of two buses arrives at Holy Innocent Church in Manhattan. (R) In D.C., the buses let us off near the Washington Monument |
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| Fr. Salvatori led us in the march |
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| (Above & below) Everywhere I looked I saw a sea of people |
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| (L) Sanfedista with the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. (R) The religious and laity turned out in force |
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| (L) Personally I'm not too keen on people dressing up as Our Lord, but this character was very popular among the marchers. (R) A tactless protestor felt no compunction about insulting Catholics |
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| Images of Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus above the bye-altars inside St. Mary Mother of God Church |
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| While going to visit the statue of the infant of Prague I discovered the shrine devoted to Blessed Karl of Austria |
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| Portrait of the Emperor and mounted wall reliquary |
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| After Mass, devotees lined up to venerate the Peace Emperor |
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| (L) The High Altar. (R) Celebrants greet the pilgrims outside the church |
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| It was an honor to meet Fr. John Zuhlsdorf |
