Current, future bishop give pro-life pilgrims a rousing send-off

God’s power is often revealed as individuals gathered to do great and important things in His name.

Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos offered that reassurance along with blessings to the 212 people from the Jefferson City diocese who were leaving Jan. 17 on a Pilgrimage for Life to Washington, D.C.

They planned to attend the National Mass and Prayer Vigil for Life in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the March for Life from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Supreme Court Building.

This year’s march marks the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions that made abortion-on-demand legal in all 50 states.

“Never underestimate the power of Jesus Christ, Who goes with you on this pilgrimage,” Bishop Emeritus Gaydos told the pilgrims at noon Mass in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Joining him at the altar was Bishop-elect W. Shawn McKnight, who will become bishop of the Jefferson City diocese on Feb. 6, as well as several priests and deacons.

Bishop Emeritus Gaydos noted that Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., had offered a plenary indulgence for all who with penitential and charitable intentions take part in the March for Life and the liturgical functions associated with it.

An indulgence, given by the Church to promote the spiritual well-being of the faithful, is a remission from the temporal consequences of sins that have already been forgiven.

Most of this year’s pilgrims from this diocese are teens and young adults, along with adult chaperones and a few others who have attended numerous Marches for Life since 1973.

“It’s going to be quite an adventure,” one of the young women in the group stated.

The Old Testament reading for the Mass told about how David, future king of the Israelites, stood up to a giant because it was the right thing to do.

“Trust in the power of our collective voice, because you are not doing this alone,” Bishop Emeritus Gaydos told the pilgrims. “You go as representatives of many people. You go as representatives of Jesus Christ!”

After Holy Communion, Bishop-elect McKnight thanked the group for making the pilgrimage and giving witness to the universal truth of the dignity of all human life.

“Sometimes, it can be scary,” he noted. “Sometimes people say all sorts of bad things about us because of our beliefs.

“But know that any suffering, any difficulty you endure for witnessing to our faith is for a good cause,” he said. “Any suffering you endure is because you support all human life, not just some. And that’s something worth suffering for.”

Father Gregory Oligschlaeger, diocesan vocations director and spiritual director for the pilgrimage, said the pilgrims’ goal is not to slay a giant like King David but to change people’s hearts by helping them experience the love of Christ.

Bishop Emeritus Gaydos thanked Fr. Oligschlaeger, diocesan events coordinator Jose Lopez and all the others who worked so hard to make the pilgrimage possible.

The pilgrims then gathered their belongings and began boarding the buses outside the cathedral.

Additional photos from this Mass will be posted on the Facebook page for the Diocese of Jefferson City.