Sacred Heart seminarians making trek to Washington emboldened by young people’s witness to pro-life cause

WASHINGTON — Metro Detroit students were awake bright and early on Friday, Jan. 24, for the 2020 Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., the unofficial kickoff to the 2020 March for Life.

Students from across the Archdiocese of Detroit, along with seminarians from Sacred Heart Major Seminary, crammed into the home of the Washington Wizards and Capitals for the rally, an annual event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington.

The rally featured speakers, praise and worship, opportunities for confession and Mass.

Gillian Draft, a junior from Gabriel Richard Catholic High School in Riverview, arrived in Washington with classmates early Friday after getting on a bus at the school at 6 p.m. Thursday, driving through the night.

“This is my first March for Life, and I wanted to be here because this is a chance you don’t get every day,” Draft told Detroit Catholic. “I want to experience as much as I can, and get a lot of different opinions about certain topics. Being pro-life is something I’m very passionate about, and I thought it’d be cool to go and experience it for myself.”

Draft described herself as “originally pro-choice,” but cited lessons from her theology classes at Gabriel Richard and the witness of other pro-lifers as reasons for changing her mind. She added she has experienced “nothing but love” at the rally and wants to use her time in Washington to connect with pro-lifers and hear their stories.

“When I learned about how the (abortion) procedure is done, and what (pro-choice advocates) tell women and the stuff they do in the industry, and I educated myself about the topic, and I realized this is something I didn’t want to be part of,” Draft said. “I’m really proud to be here. At first, I was nervous, but being here with every and just experiencing the love and happiness. I’m glad to be here, to be alive, fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves.”

In addition to standing up for life, the trip offers a chance for students to learn about civic activism and how to take advantage of one’s constitutional right to protest.

Benjamin Beaudrie, a senior at Gabriel Richard, said he was excited to march down Constitution Avenue to give witness to a cause he believes in.

“Marching is a good form of protesting, and it works in so many other things, like with Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights protests. It’s a good way to show the strength of the people and how many people care for a cause like this,” Beaudrie said. “If you’re not a witness for the cause, you are letting it happen. But if you care about something, you’re going to get involved.”

Seminarians from Sacred Heart Major Seminary joined the youth at the rally, soaking in their enthusiasm and beginning the day with Mass before heading out to the National Mall for the Rally for Life.

Nine third-year theology students from Sacred Heart made the journey to Washington. using this trip as a chance to give witness to the pro-life movement, and have 

Mark Martin, one of nine third-year seminarians from Sacred Heart who made the journey to Washington, said the young people's enthusiasm strengthens their conviction to be priests who speak out for life.

“It’s awesome to see all these young Catholics, especially high schoolers here standing up for life,” said Martin, who is studying for the Diocese of Lansing. “It’s so edifying here, to see the Church is alive and kicking. We were at the vigil Mass (at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.), and it’s very awesome to see brother seminarians from all across the nation. You get a real sense of brotherhood, and it strengthens my calling to the priesthood.”

Martin said seeing hundred of thousands of pro-lifers on the street today shows people are looking for leaders in the pro-life movement, especially in the clergy.

Later this afternoon, Martin and his classmates will make the long trek up Capitol Hill, marching for those who couldn’t march yesterday, who can’t march today, but maybe, just maybe, will be able to march tomorrow.

“When I’m marching, I reflect on the Crucifixion, to see Jesus crucified, to see his sacred blood touching all of us, touching the millions of unborn babies who have been killed,” Martin said. “I march to touch the hearts of those who are pro-choice, who might not have an idea why this is so evil, pleading mercy for them all. 

“I march for those not here yet, that my work today might somehow change enough hearts, change enough minds, that future lives will be saved because of today.”

Detroit Catholic is on the ground covering the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This story will be updated.