March for Life January 2010, The Showdown

Notre Dame's appearance at the March for Life was itself newsworthy. The two banners in the photo above tell the story.

First you have the official Notre Dame Right to Life banner complete with the university logo and the phrase "fightin' for life." Approaching in the background you have a banner that reads, "Father Jenkins: Free the Notre Dame 88."

Who are the Notre Dame 88? A group of pro-lifers arrested on the Notre Dame University campus for peacefully protesting President Obama's presence at last year's commencement. Among those arrested was an elderly Catholic priest named Father Norman Weslin.

Who is Father Jenkins? Father Jenkins is himself a Catholic priest and the President of Notre Dame who bestowed an award on pro-choice President Obama at the commencement. Father Jenkins will not drop the charges against the Notre Dame 88. And Father Jenkins attended the March for Life!

Those interested in more information on Father Jenkins and the Notre Dame 88 may read the latest article on LifeSiteNews at the link below.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10012505.html

March for Life January 2010, College Roll Call

The following colleges and universities deserve to be on the honor roll for their attendance and participation in the March for Life. What a wonderful witness from the young adults of America. We've already seen in a previous blog post a banner for Franciscan University, and have noted the presence of Notre Dame . Here were some other schools that I came across on January 22:

Princeton University.

Yale University.

Rutgers University.

Northeastern University.

Christendom College.

Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts.

The final installment of this March for Life series will be the next post, on Notre Dame.

March for Life January 2010, Signs and Banners

Members of the Ohio Right to Life contingent all decked out with signs. Love all the youthful energy!

Sometimes, unspoken words speak the loudest.

Waiting in the streets of Washington, DC for the march to get underway. The Washington Monument is visible way in the background.

Another powerful witness.

This sign showing Sarah Palin and her son Trig was carried by a member of Team Sarah. Their website can be found at the following link:

http://www.teamsarah.org/

Also pictured in the same photo above is a banner from Saint Francis University. The colleges did themselves proud ... there was quite a good turnout of students. My next blog post will feature a bunch of other colleges and universities in attendance at the March for Life. Notre Dame will not be included in the next blog post but will instead be featured separately.

March for Life January 2010, Catholic Presence

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC rises in the pre-dawn hours on January 22. The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services USA, celebrated Mass here.

Three nuns representing Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, Monroe NY carry a sign showing Pope Benedict with some children and the words "Hope and Trust in Life."

Images of the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe are carried during the march.

The Knights of Columbus from Chantilly, VA were in attendance.

Members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property carry a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

Next up in this series of blog entries on the March for Life January 2010 will be a feature on outstanding signs and banners. There were definitely a lot to choose from.

March for Life January 2010, We the People

The view outside the window of the Upper Level of the East Building of the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art several hours before the March for Life parade began in Washington, DC on January 22, 2010.

This blog post begins a series of photo journalism articles that I am self-publishing dedicated to this year's March for Life. All of the photos were personally taken by me. The particular theme here is "We the People," based on the human interest angle of who attended the pro-life rally and parade.

This beautifully inspirational young lady and her father carried the message that along with saving the lives of the unborn, the elderly and the handicapped also need protection when it comes to respecting their right to life. Her sign was furnished by The Climb Organization, which you can visit at the following website:

http://www.theclimborganization.com/

A representative of the Eastern Orthodox faith carries a traditional icon. It was announced during the rally that in times past the Orthodox really had not gotten involved in the March for Life, however, they had decided to participate and make themselves known as a presence this year.

An Anarchist Agnostic against Abortion was happy to discuss his views with any and all comers during the parade.

These bagpipers lining the street during the march belong to an orgnization called The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property.

This man was hanging off the Russell Senate Office Building. As participants in the March for Life passed in the street below, he would sometimes bless them with the large wooden crucifix. As I was taking pictures, a priest stopped next to me with a cell phone and made a call to someone to basically report "Cross Man's" presence atop the building and ask what was going on. Sounds like mystery and intrigue to me.

Upcoming blog entries in this series will discuss such topics as media presence, Catholic participation and influence, outstanding signs and banners, and college representation, with a special focus on Notre Dame.