Mass for Life
On Saturday, January 15, 2022, parishioners from across the Diocese of Raleigh gathered at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral to pray the rosary and then participate in the annual Mass for Life, a prelude to the state rally and march led by North Carolina Right to Life.
During his homily at Mass, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama invited the faithful to deeply reflect on their own gift of life and how they celebrate it.
"What do we do every time we come together like this?" Bishop Luis asked. "What do we do? We celebrate life. We celebrate the gift of life. And in today’s reading, the Pharisees and scribes were unhappy. What made them sad and unhappy? They were unable to enjoy Jesus, to enjoy life, to be happy."
"Jesus and the disciples and tax collectors were having a good time. Why? Because they were celebrating life. They were celebrating hope," he said. "They were sinners and tax collectors, but they found someone who invited them and showed them that there is hope. And they embraced that. They accepted the invitation and celebrated that.
"We are envious when another person is happy because we live bitter, complaining about the past. How are we going to celebrate life if we don't appreciate our own life? It is not with only speeches that we are going to convince someone.
"We come to celebrate the gift of life," he continued, "and that is not just saying it but feeling it. We are experts in complaining about everything but is difficult to find joy in the gift of who I am."
Bishop Luis concluded his homily by inviting everyone to become good listeners. “We just must listen and listen. Because listening helps to open your heart to the other person and make them feel important. Only after having listened, you can say two words to help the other person.”
Watch the full Mass on YouTube
Watch the homily:
Rally and March for Life
After the Mass, everyone was invited to gather in Bicentennial Plaza, directly across Jones Street from the State Legislative Building in Raleigh where the rally for life took place.
The keynote speaker for the event was Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, U.S. Congressional Representative for western Minnesota’s 7th District. She talked about the efforts to prevent abortion in the legislatures and the courts.
In Congress, Rep. Fischbach has already established herself as a leading voice for the unborn, serving as the author of the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2021 and supporting dozens of pro-life letters, petitions, and bills.
Leticia Ortega, Hispanic Formation Assistant for the Hispanic Youth & Young Adults of the Diocese of Raleigh was one of the speakers. She addressed Spanish speakers in the audience and talked about the importance of defending all life.
“Life is a gift of God," Ortega said. "Life is a right, and that’s why we need to protect it. While there is life, there is hope, there is life. We are here to protect life.”
The closing remarks before the march started were given by Bishop Luis, who told the attendees, “Looking at the weather and that it was very cold, I asked myself, why does abortion happen? And I thought that this happens because of cold hearts missing love. That’s why we all should embrace the love of God and give love to others.”
After the speakers were finished, the Knights of Columbus led the crowd in a march around the legislature and past the Executive Mansion. Some of the marchers sang songs and led cheers for life. Participants included youth groups and representatives from many different parishes of the diocese, who marched around the Capitol until they returned to the Centennial Plaza.
The 49th annual national March for Life will be held Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Washington, D.C. According to organizers, it is the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration. The national march follows the NC Mass for Life, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
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