Faithful, advocates mark first anniversary of Roe reversal with Mass, Rally for Life

Some 350 advocates for the sanctity of pre-born human life gathered in Trenton from across New Jersey June 24 to commemorate the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which had legalized abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

The pro-life advocates, including a contingent from the Diocese of Metuchen, began their day by attending a Mass for Life celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, with Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Cathedral rector, serving as principal celebrant and homilist.

After Mass, the assembled communicants walked to the nearby New Jersey Statehouse Annex where they joined other advocates for a peaceful and prayerful Rally for Life organized by NJ Right to Life.

“We come and pray together for the birth of all God’s children,” Msgr. Roldan observed in his homily, pointing out that day marked the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

“This day that we celebrate is the day our Supreme Court recognized the reality that life matters and no one has a right to end life,” he said. “Abortion simply ends life.”

Msgr. Roldan pointed to the emotional and fractious nature of the abortion issue, causing divisiveness within families, among friends, in the community at-large and even in parish communities.

“It’s for this reason, that many would rather not bring up the word or discuss the topic” because they view abortion as a political subject and something that should not be discussed among family and friends, he said.

“Abortion is not a political issue, although we have allowed it to become one,” he said.

Referring to the day’s First Reading from the Book of Isaiah, “Before I was born, the Lord chose me,” Msgr. Roldan said that the Lord “forms and chooses all of us in our mother’s womb and the Lord has greatness for us.

“… with this greatness comes responsibilities,” he added. “As Christians, as God-fearing Catholics, we are called to action. The Church has and will always call us to defend all that is sacred and good.”

After Mass, a large group of congregants walked to the Statehouse for the rally where they prayed together and heard from an array of speakers, including prolife politicians, medical professionals and leaders of organizations who provide care for unborn children and their mothers.

“I never thought I would see the day when Roe was overturned,” said Jennifer Ruggiero, Secretary for the Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life, and diocesan director, Office of Human Life and Dignity.

Ruggiero was among a diocesan group of faithful who traveled by bus to the Mass and rally. They were joined by others from the Diocese who had traveled to Trenton on their own.

“It is hard to believe it has already been one year since the historic Dobbs decision. The Mass and Rally was an occasion to celebrate this victory, but also served to energize and encourage us to continue to do the everyday work still needed to build a culture of life and love,” Ruggiero stressed.

Among the speakers was Joan Fasanello, director of Life Choices, Inc., a pregnancy help center located in Phillipsburg, and St. Anne’s Center, a shelter for pregnant or homeless women with children, also in Phillipsburg.

“God has freed us from the mistake of Roe v. Wade,” said Fasanello. “Today is a day to celebrate and to fill our hearts with peace, joy, compassion and kindness because that is what attracts others to our message.

“I get to work with expectant mothers who are heroes.  They have learned that they don’t have to sacrifice their children to pursue their future, their children are their future – sacred, loved and redeemed by an awesome God.”

Mary Stadnyk, associate editor, Diocese of Trenton, and Mary Morrell, editor-in-chief, Diocese of Metuchen, contributed to this story.