Pictured: Caldwell College students who took part
in the March for Life along with Bishop John M. Smith of the Trenton
Diocese and Father Al Berner, Chaplain, Caldwell College. |
Caldwell College Students Join 35th Annual March for Life
Caldwell College students and staff joined over 250,000 people for the 35th annual March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 22, 2008.
Campus ministry students and Caldwell College Students for Life started out at 2 a.m. for the trip to D.C. Once in Washington, they joined over 20,000 other young people in the Verizon Center for a mass and Catholic music rally. After the mass, they joined the other marchers on the mall and marched up Constitution Avenue past the Capitol to the Supreme Court to show support for life from conception until natural death.
Caldwell Junior Rebeca Munoz had gone to the March in Washington D.C. about eight times when she was younger, but she said she had forgotten how wonderful the experience truly is. "I knew this was an opportune time to be able to go and do something that was once a tradition for me. It was such a comfort to see other young people who believe so strongly, that every life is precious and believed so passionately in real truth that they would travel from far and wide to make a statement of peace and hope by walking through our nation's capital." She said The March for Life brought her so much joy and hope for her generation. "Even if it was not publicized or acknowledged by others, I felt empowered and even privileged to be walking for truth and life. Like Teresa of Avila said, 'Christ has no feet but our feet to lead men in HIS way'. This was a moment I was able to be Christ's feet," Munoz said.
Freshman Elena Santoliquido said she always wanted to go to the March for Life because she is very pro-life and because it's a great cause. "Abortion is murder of the unborn and this country needs to hear that. I would certainly encourage other people, young and old, to attend the March. It really makes you feel good afterwards because you know you've done the right thing."
Junior Lia Canavan said it was the first time she attended and she was so happy she did. "The pure, unbridled energy among the crowd at the Youth Rally was awesome. It was great to see so many young people band together for this cause! She said she met many people from "far away states and different schools and organizations"some of whom had travelled over 24 hours to attend the March. "Such dedication to the cause was awesome to witness," Canavan said.
In addition, Munoz and Canavan attended the Students for Life of America Conference at Catholic University on Sunday January 20 with 800 students from colleges around the United States. Caldwell College Continuing Education student Mary Kominsky witnessed at the conference for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, a Christian project that provides help and healing to women and men who are hurting from the trauma of abortion. For more information go to www.silentnomoreawareness.org.