“In the presence of faith fear disappears.”

These are the words of Dr. Alveda King (niece of Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King) in her presentation to participants at the Cardinal O’Connor Conference for Life at Georgetown University in Washington, DC on January 21, 2010.

Reflecting on the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, her first march at age 12, and the memory of her own home being bombed, Dr. King used music, stories from her childhood, and moving video clips to interact with her audience.

From January 20-24, 2010, nine Upper School students, along with Sr. Mary Denise (Superior of the Mendota Heights Visitation), Kelley Warner (a parent of two Vis students), and Upper School Religion teacher Mary McClure, attended this conference as part of their journey to Washington DC for the national March for Life.

Tenth grader Meg Warner reflected, "Dr. Alveda King told us about how she used to march for civil rights with her friends, and even though there were lots of protestors and policemen, they were not afraid. Then she told us to get out there and march for life, and not to be afraid."  

Following Dr. King’s keynote, the students attended breakout sessions around the University campus on such topics as the “Biology of the Theology of the Body,” “End of Life” issues, and “Feminists for Life.”

The day concluded with an apologetics talk by Scott Klusendorf who uses the acronym SLED to defend the human dignity of each individual. The dignity of the human person is freely given and never dependent on a person’s Size, Level of development, Environment or degree of Dependency.

Through the assistance of Archbishop Nienstedt’s office, the Visitation group was also able to secure tickets for the “sold out” Youth Rally and Mass at the DC Verizon Center the morning of January 22. The packed house of 17,000 youth from across the country included over 250 priests concelebrating Mass, 40 bishops, Chicago’s Francis Cardinal George, the head of the USCCB, and the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who brought a message of encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI to the youth of America.

“Every experience in DC left a mark on me, but what touched me most deeply was the Youth Rally and Mass on Friday morning before the march. Seventeen thousand young people filled the Verizon Center to the brim, with row upon row of seminarians, priests, bishops, cardinals, sisters and brothers. Over the three hours that I sat there, I came to realize that all of those people were just like me: young, Catholic, and very pro-life. It filled me with great pride and hope and made me believe that we truly are the Pro-Life generation,” recalled Mary-Catherine Schmidt, who is a junior at Vis.

The pre-Mass Youth Rally was filled with music, singing, and an inspiring story of Maddie, a 19 year-old woman with Down Syndrome who is now in college. Unlike the reported 90% of women who receive a pre-natal diagnosis of Down Syndrome and are directed to abort, Maddie’s family was encouraged by their doctor and they chose to give her life. She is now a college student and led the rosary at the Verizon Center.  

“[Maddie's story] was one of the most moving events of the trip for me, said Mrs. McClure.  How many women in a difficult pregnancy are filled with fear for their future and that of their children?  This Mom received encouragement and help and we were all rewarded with the presence of her beautiful daughter.”

The youth marched from the packed Verizon Center, joining young people from seven satellite Youth Masses in the surrounding parishes, and together walked to the Washington Mall area to hear political speeches and join the other marchers. The Washington Post reported 300,000 marchers, with the overwhelming number of participants being youth.

Freshman Margaret Mary Underwood reflected, “I always think I am in a minority and it was so overwhelming and inspiring to see so many youth who believe the same as you do and stand with you.”

The girls were able to see some of the magnificent sights of our nation’s capital and stay at Georgetown Visitation, our sister school. The energy and enthusiasm, as well as the information gleaned during the trip, will bear fruit in the days to come as the students continue to engage in dialogue and in service for the cause of LIFE in this country.

The students wish to express their thanks to the Upper School administration, Sr. Mary Denise, Mrs. Warner, parents for providing financial support, a few private donors, and for all those who participated in the pre-Christmas bake sales at Visitation and made the trip a reality.

Click here for photos of the March for Life event.