First of all, many commented on the exceptional turnout. The attendance at the rally seemed to be very high. Students, teachers, priests and religious and people from all walks of life and from all 50 states attended. The National Parks Service ihas stopped giving official estimates since 1996 when controversy over The Million Man March striped them of that responsibility. However, estimates given on various blogs and popular media articles on the March for Life estimated the attendance between a low of 100,000 in a high of 450,000 people.

 Regardless of the number, the commitment and the enthusiasm was so real and so electric that you could almost reach out and touch it. The positive attitude about overturning Roe versus Wade generated the excitement and positive outlooks most everyone had at the rally. It was an amazing experience to feel the excitement and energy. 

Second, one of the most encouraging things that the demographic makeup of the crowd. It seemed that the majority of the attendees at the 2011 March for Life were between 16 and 30 years old. Compare that to previous marches. Years ago, it seemed that the average attendee’s age was 50 years, plus. Many asked” Was the pro-life effort to die out as the more senior generation slowly faded away? B but judging from the huge number of young people attending this year's rally, we can answer that question with a resounding no. 

This has clearly become an inter- generational struggle. The prominence of so many young people, with such enthusiasm, gives strong hope that the fight will continue on until its successful conclusion. On the other hand, the old guard of the 60s feminist liberal mentality is fading away fast. And, it seems that there are few, if any that want to fill the diminishing ranks of the “free-love, “bra-burning” Woodstock generation that is mostly responsible for pushing the pro-death culture. 

And these pro-life young adults were not attending the 2011 March for Life just for the thrill of a field trip. Discussions with many of them made it clear that they knew why they were there. They understood the tremendous amount of damage done by 38 years of living with the Roe versus Wade decision. They can see the fundamental evil of abortion … and they want it STOPPED. Many carried signs that read; "Abortion Hurts!" "Stop Abortion Now," "I am Pro-Life Generation" and "Defund Planned Parenthood.” 

Third, encouraging news came from a wide variety of speakers. The best of all were short talks given by the pro-life Freshmen Congressmen. From all parts of the country the freshman congressman stood up and exclaimed: 

1)   Their  support for the pro-life movement

2)   Their commitment to moving a pro-life agenda forward for America

3)   The expectation of overturning Roe versus Wade

4)   The paramount need for grass roots actions on the part of their consitituents

 It seemed that there must have been more than 40 freshmen Congressmen who spoke at the rally. Each one gave a short statement and encouraged their own constituents as well as the whole crowd. Notable speakers at the 38th annual march in 2011 included House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, House Majority Whip and Kevin McCarthy.

 Many others spoke who represented the Catholic Religious commuity, various Pro- Life Political Action groups and famous activists like Dr. Alveda King, niece of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 2011 March For Life pulled so much spiritual power, political power and grass-roots power together like never before … and that’s encouraging! 

Fourth, encouragement came from the presence of so many diverse groups that, for various reasons, see the evil of abortion. Virtually all of the pro-life groups and organizations who were present stressed healing and forgiveness to those who have had an abortion or who were affected by abortion. Two groups of particular prominence were:

www.silentnomoreawareness.org/ (I Regret My Abortion)

www.rachelsvineyard.org 

The point of forgiveness was made by so many Catholic speakers during this event. Forgiveness of the sin of committing an abortion, or assisting an abortion, can be forgiven. The point that regret, mental anguish, fear, pain of loss and other psychological and spiritual maladies resulting from abortion can be changed into positive motivators to help others.

REAL forgiveness can be obtained by securing absolution from sin through the sacrament of penance or “confession.” This sacrament is available to any baptized Catholic. And, The Catholic Church, or “The Mystical Body of Christ” holds it arms wide open to all people of good will seeking salvation and Eternal Life. Here is the exciting reality of forgiveness as explained by a link to New Advent’s website http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01061a.htm. 

“Absolution proper is that act of the priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin. It presupposes on the part of the penitent, contrition, confession, and promise at least of satisfaction; on the part of the minister, valid reception of the Order of Priesthood and jurisdiction, granted by competent authority, over the person receiving the sacrament. 

That there is in the Church power to absolve sins committed after baptism the Council of Trent thus declares: "But the Lord then principally instituted the Sacrament of Penance, when, being raised from the dead, He breathed upon His disciples saying, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.' By which action so signal, and words so clear the consent of all the Fathers has ever understood that the power of forgiving and retaining sins was communicated to the Apostles, and to their lawful successors for the reconciling of the faithful who have fallen after baptism" (Sess. XIV, i). Nor is there lacking in divine revelation proof of such power; the classical texts are those found in Matthew 16:19; 18:18, and in John 20:21-23. To Peter are given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Sin is the great obstacle to entrance into the kingdom, and over sin Peter is supreme.” 

Planned Parenthood’s only products are death, misery, sin and the denial of God's supremacy in every aspect of our life. We are locked in a spiritual battle where we must fight hard, pray hard, perform acts of sacrifice and perform good acts that generate the grace needed to offset the selfishness and evil that allows planned parenthood to continue. 

The 2011 March for Life was a great event that merited loads grace and counteracted much of the evil that is continuing to this day. Just talking about abortion, and taking polls, and discussing how the majority of Americans are against abortion is a very rudimentary start. Taking concrete actions like attending the March for Life and vocally protesting abortion is a more advanced and beneficial step.

Ultimately, what will win the battle is prayer. Prayer for the conversion of the abortionists and prayer for all those contemplating an abortion. We must pray for the politicians who have codified abortion and made it “right” in direct opposition to the natural law and to God’s law. Pray that “Truth’s enemies” will reverse pro death laws that have caused so much pain, sin and suffering. 

The light of change is shining brightly. The tide against abortion is swelling. People from all walks of life, especially younger Americans, are stepping up to fight the battle on all fronts. Through prayer and conversion we will overcome.