Silver Lining in March for Life Cancellation

Morgan Velez ’16

Staff Writer

Each year the Diocese of Saginaw takes six to eight buses down to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life.  This one-day event on January 22nd is a peaceful march in front of the Capitol building that demonstrates an effort to overturn the decision that legalized abortion in the 1973 trial, Roe v. Wade.  Marchers carry signs, say prayers, and recite chants while many speakers tell their story and share their experiences.  Videos on the side of the march reveal the horrors of abortion and though sad, motivate those who stand for life to pursue the cause.

This year, due to inclement weather and large amounts of snow, the Diocese of Saginaw decided not to attend the march.  They canceled plans one day before their buses were scheduled to leave and although the decision was disappointing, many believe that it was the smart thing to do, especially after hearing reports that many buses had been stranded after the Pennsylvania turnpike was closed.  Those stranded prayed and sang despite the weather and also held a mass on the side of the road with an altar built from snow.  Read more and see pictures from those events here.

Nouvel students also recognized the day by holding an all-school prayer in the PAC and then were led by the Spirit Cross out for a brief march in front of the school.  Similar to the march in Washington, students chanted, prayed, and carried signs to demonstrate their respect for life.  Meals that had been prepared for the diocese travelers were also put to good use when Nouvel sophomores (who were supposed to go on the trip) spent the second half of their day delivering them to charities such as the Rescue Missions in both Saginaw and Bay City, Hidden Harvest, and the East Side Soup Kitchen.  Sophomores returned to Nouvel to watch informative videos that they would have viewed on the drive to Washington.  For a link to the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw’s Facebook page, and more information on the Nouvel students’ activities that day, click here.

Although Nouvel sophomores were unable to experience the march and witness the massive number of people who support life, a silver lining was found in the mini-march and generosity of the students that day.  The spirit of the march and respect for life did not go unnoticed at NCC.