Mother of Hope

Yesterday, Saturday, Fr. Joseph, FPO, celebrated Mass in honor of Our Lady of Hope as a way of concluding our participation in the March for Life. It was truly appropriate call on Mary, Mother of Hope, after being part of the throng of hundreds of thousands of believers filled with hope that our presence, our faith, and our voices will make a difference in raising awareness of the value of life from conception to natural death, and the evil which disrespects, discards and destroys the miracle of life. It is estimated that 4,000 babies are aborted each day in this country alone. A shocking number. Yet, a growing number of believers who want to protect life and reverse the law are making themselves heard. A Rabbi from Brooklyn spoke passionately about the need for change, as did a Baptist Pastor and many others, including Congressmen and women. I was at one of the first Marches in 1975 or '76, at which there were perhaps 30,000 people who were told it would be a long "battle", but in the end, we would prevail. This year, seeing the huge number of mainly young people who reverently attended Masses in the Basilica, and who marched from the Mall to the Supreme Court, and having Mary on our side, I would say there is real Hope. We need to continue the March locally, daily, in our prayers, in our support of Pro-Life groups, in expressing the teachings of the Church about the sanctity of life. We need, Mary, Mother of Hope, to encourage, strengthen and guide us. Mary, Mother of Hope, Pray for us.
Bro. Rene