For seminarians, March for Life is a training ground for the pro-life priesthood

'I pray for Christ's mercy:' Sacred Heart seminarians reflect on spiritual side of pro-life witness, prepare to be tomorrow's leaders

WASHINGTON — A journey begins in one location and ends in another.

Usually, it’s a physical location: start at “point A,” end at “point B.” But the March for Life is more than the long trek up Capitol Hill; it's about advancing society from where it is now to where it could be.

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For men studying to become the next generation of priests, their role in the journey is clear: to be leaders of the movement, to guide others in building a culture of life and respect.

“It’s important for a man who is being formed as a Catholic priest to have a heart that is pro-life,” said Ryan Eggenberger of the Archdiocese of Detroit, one of nine third-year theology seminarians from Sacred Heart Major Seminary who made the trip to Washington. “To be pro-life is a doctrinal part of our Church, our faith. Our Lord created us for life and for love, and as Catholics we are unabashedly pro-life.”

Seminarians march under the banner of Sacred Heart Major Seminary down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.

This year was Eggenberger’s fifth March for Life. His first was in 2005, before he was Catholic. Seeing the overwhelmingly Catholic presence at the march opened his eyes to the convictions of the Catholic faith, and later, his discernment for the priesthood.

“When you are at the Vigil Mass for Life (at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the night before the march), you just feel part of a family, this amazing sense of community with brother seminarians from around the country,” Eggenberger said. “When you are here, you know you are part of something huge.”

The seminarians’ journey began early in the morning the day before the March for Life, leaving Sacred Heart’s campus at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, taking a long bus ride to Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Catholic Church in Washington, where they stayed for the weekend.

“It’s awesome to see all these young Catholics, especially high schoolers, here standing up for life,” Mark Martin of the Diocese of Lansing. “It’s edifying to be here, to see the Church is alive and kicking.”

Ben Rivard, Bro. Drew Langton, CCL, Mark Martin and Miguel Colunga-Santoyo smile while attending a pre-march rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

As the youth were gearing up for the march during a youth rally at Verizon Center, Martin was spiritually preparing for the march, recalling why — and for whom — he was marching.

“When I’m marching, I reflect on the Crucifixion, and Jesus’ sacred blood touching all of us, touching the millions of unborn babies who have been killed,” Martin said. “I pray for Christ’s mercy touching the hearts of people who are pro-choice, who might not have an idea on why it’s so evil, pleading mercy for them all.”

The laity depend on young men becoming priests who stand up for life, to be leaders not only in spiritual matters, but civic affairs as well, said Ben Rivard, a seminarian from the Diocese of Marquette.

“We have this opportunity in the United States to peacefully protest things we consider unjust, and what is more unjust than abortion, the taking of an innocent life?” Rivard said. “It’s important we exercise those rights, to stand with people who value the dignity of human life, to demonstrate that in our nation’s capital. The march shows people want leadership in the priesthood, especially when it comes the pro-life movement.”

Seminarians Ben Rivard and Kevin Wojciechowski hold the Sacred Heart banner proudly while marching in Washington, D.C.

Bro. Xavier Kozlowski, a second-year seminarian with the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit, carried with him a relic of St. John Paul the Great, a steadfast supporter of the pro-life movement. Bro. Kozlowski said the former pope spoke out against the “culture of death,” of which abortion is emblematic.

“This march is important in combating the culture of death and bringing the kingdom of God to light,” Bro. Kozlowski said. “This is the darkest part of our country, that we would kill unborn children. It’s important to be here, to fight for the life of every child, no matter how small they are.”

As the seminarians reached the top of Capitol Hill and the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, Bro. Kozlowski said the march toward a culture of life continues every day.

“The culture of life begins with yourself, realizing that you are a beloved child of God and living in that reality,” Bro. Kozlowski said. “It starts in turning to Him in prayer every morning, beginning with a recognition that you depend on Him, that He is the one who is going to take care of you, walking with Him every day.”

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