COURTESY PHOTO

Braving the cold, Cincinnati seminarians prepare for the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on January 22.

Seminarians participate in march

16 travel to Washington for Right to Life event

ARCHDIOCESE — The Athenaeum of Ohio sent sixteen Mount St. Mary’s seminarians with Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh, the seminary’s director of formation, to participate in the 2008 March for Life in Washington, D.C. January 22. The event drew more than 225,000 participants

Father Carlomagno Nunez and seminarian Jonathon Funes of the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, who are participating in the Athenaeum’s seminary exchange program, joined the the contingent from Mount St. Mary’s.

March organizer Nellie Gray said the turnout for the annual event underscores the recognition that "it’s not going to work trying to change this from the top down. It’s not working that way. We’re going to unite the grass roots."

Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said the Knights, who help organize anti-abortion events around the country, do so because "abortion hurts everyone," from the unborn child and the parents to doctors and nurses who are compromised by their participation.

"It undermines respect for judges," he said. "It implicates the taxpayer who pays for it. It coarsens the society that tolerates it."

Also among the speakers onstage were bishops from around the country. Many came to Washington with groups from their dioceses, celebrating Masses at churches around the city or attending the Washington archdiocesan youth rally and Mass at the Verizon Center sports arena.

A number of the Cincinnati seminary contingent participated in the vigil Mass Jan. 21 at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The morning of the march, the group joined the Rally for Life and Youth Mass at the Verizon Center arena.

The seminary trip was funded by Tony Maas, president and owner of JTM Provisions Co., Harrison, a member of the Athenaeum Advisory Council.

"I experienced an amazing sense of solidarity at the March for Life. Especially as someone preparing for the priesthood, it is heartening to see so many priests, sisters, and seminarians. Even though I have participated in the March in the past, I was again struck by the youthfulness of the marchers — tens of thousands of students from Catholic high school and colleges," said David Endres, third-year seminarian. "It really shows what can happen when we come together as members of the Church."

Matthew K. Lee, a fourth year seminarian, said: "Anyone who participates in the March for Life will immediately notice the thousands of young people who also participate. One day these young people will be our parishioners struggling with the reality of life issues. Our participation in the March for Life not only alerts us to this reality, but enables us to give the witness that young people so need to see. ... It has been said that Christianity is not a spectator sport; participating in the March for Life is one good way to put our faith into action."

Jim Romanello, studying pre-theology said: "Our fight against abortion cannot simply be a trip to Washington every year. For me the March for Life is a way to join pro-lifers who come from all over to stand up against abortion. It is also a reminder of the work that needs to be done here at home."