Candle Light Vigil for the Victims of Abortion
Published: May 7, 2014
The first day of National March For Life activities, May 7th, featured a pro-life mass at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, celebrated by Bishop Fred Coli from the Dioces of North Bay, and a Pro-life Prayer Service at Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, celebrated by Protopresbyter Maxym Lysack. Both of these services took place at 7:30pm. At the end of the services, candles were handed out and everyone was invited to process, with candles lit, to the Canadian Human Rights Monument for a candle light vigil for the victims of abortion. Hundreds of people went. Below is a photo album of the pro-life church services. If you can't see the photo album embedded below, click here.
The solemn, prayerful, candle light vigil for the victims of abortion was held at the Canadian Human Rights Monument on Elgin & Lisgar Streets in Ottawa. The vast majority of attendees were young people, continuing the greening of the pro-life movement we have seen over recent years.
Inspiring guest speakers gave reflections that were rooted in prayer. Some of the guest speakers included:
- Alissa Golob, Youth Director for Campaign Life Coalition
- Enza Ratenzi, Aid To Women crisis pregnancy centre
- Bishop Christian Riesbeck, Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa
- Steve Karlen, North American Director of 40 Days For Life
Alissa gave her moving personal story about how abortion could have taken her life when her young mother was pressured by the family doctor to consider abortion, but fortunately, chose life. Enza described how her life saving work conducting sidewalk counselling every day is so rewarding. Steve Karlen, who travelled from the U.S. to speak at the Canadian March For Life, drew profound analogies between the nazi holocaust of the 2nd world war and today's abortion holocaust. Although a sombre topic, Karlen managed to fill the audience with hope that the good in man will ultimately conquer the evil, with God's help. Bishop Riesbeck gave a very appropriate, pro-life reflection on a gospel passage.
Alissa Golob also described the church services and candle light vigil as a good way to start the march for life. "I really enjoy it because it's relaxed and an opportunity to have sort of quiet, spiritual meditation in a way that won't be possible with all the craziness on parliament hill tomorrow", said Golob.
View our photo album below. If you cannot view the album, try clicking this link here.
The next day, all of these people will attend the big event on Parliament Hill, joined by tens of thousands of other pro-life Canadians.