SJCS Contingent Attends 52nd March for Life
Forty-four SJCS students, along with several teacher and parent chaperones, attended the 52nd March for Life January 23-25 in Washington, D.C.
The group arrived by bus Thursday night and did some sightseeing. On Friday morning they attended Life Fest at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, an event hosted by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus that includes a series of speakers and Mass.
Then they boarded the bus for the March for Life, an annual rally against the practice and legality of abortion held every year on or around the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision that legalized abortion.
On Saturday morning, the group toured the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (the largest Catholic church in North America) and then stayed for Mass that was celebrated by Father Rhett Williams, Pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Columbia and Chaplain at the University of South Carolina.
Among the highlights was the opportunity to visit with Brother Drew Lyons, a 2018 SJCS graduate who joined the group during the March and also at the Basilica on Saturday. He's in the Dominican House of Studies in Washington and in formation to become a priest.
Mr. Fowler, who served as a chaperone on the trip, provided a summary during this past Thursday's prayer service. The following is a portion of his summary:
"Arriving at 5:30 on a Thursday morning. Driving to a mall outside Richmond for lunch. Getting back on the bus, only to make a second pit stop at the very same mall minutes later due to a flat bus tire, which it turns out isn’t a quick fix. Getting into D.C. much later than expected. Figuring out Metro tickets for a group of 60, many of whom are taking public transportation for the first time. A friend from Atlanta tapping you on the shoulder for a quick hug before swiping into the Metro with his group of high schoolers while you’re still trying to help buy Metro tickets.
"A deep conversation with a grandma from Arizona who happened to be in town the week of the March and was taking the place of a student who couldn’t make it at the last second. Discovering an amazing -- and I mean seriously amazing -- pizzeria only a five-minute walk from the hotel. Passing under a bridge and seeing lots of luggage, furniture, and a grill, and stopping in the cold to pray for and offer our time in the cold for those who have to sleep in it.
"Running into a friend from college who is now a Sister of Life. Running into numerous St. Joe’s alumni from throughout the years. Celebrating Mass in the crypt of the Catholic University Basilica with groups from all over the state of South Carolina. And probably most precious, the many wonderful conversations I had with my bus buddy Mrs. J.
"I think it’s safe to call this an adventure. And it wasn’t only an adventure because of the grand project we had in mind. The Lord surprised each of us with innumerable gifts, great and small, beautiful and mundane, to make the adventure more exciting."