Light Has Dawned

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down plans this year for the annual pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. for March for Life sponsored by the Diocese of Baton Rouge. 

But even the pandemic could not stop the opening of young hearts and minds to supporting life and receiving the love and support God has for them during Vigil for Life, held Jan. 15-16.

The theme was “Baton Rouge March for Life: Light has Dawned.”

St. Michael the Archangel Diocesan Regional High School in Baton Rouge was the home-base for the event, which included all the elements of the annual pilgrimage. The “bus culture” was alive and well with fun activities, including an opening treasure hunt that sent youth scurrying around the St. Michael campus finding clues that directed them to complete an action before going on to the next one. 

There was also “flash mob dancing” and games. Priests, seminarians and women religious were also present interacting with the youth.

Messages were in tune with the theme of conversion.

In the first session, “Light has Dawned,” Alex Ruch noted that everyday there is darkness and “we all fall short.”

But God speaks through Scripture. Ruch pointed to the Scripture passage inspiring the theme from Ezekiel 36: 26-27, “I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you.”

Ruch pointed out God essentially says, “I am going to show them how to live, teach them and ultimately save them.”

“Jesus brought light into the world (fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy),” Ruch said.

He talked about Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to the first disciples, who then encountered others and taught and lived like Christ. That message has spread for more than 2,000 years.

Ruch said the annual March for Life pilgrimage changed his life several years ago. He attended St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict but after a year of seminary he came home and worked in advertising. He also went on to marry his wife Emily.

“That same encounter I came to is available for you today,” said Ruch, telling the youth the Lord had called them and waited for them even before they looked for him.

Father Josh Johnson, director of vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, talked about religious vocations in a session, “Lord, Shine Your Light.”

Father Johnson said a turning point in his vocations journey was witnessing the sacrifice made by a good friend in caring for his wife. Just six months into their marriage, the friend’s wife became seriously ill and could not take care of her own needs but the friend lovingly cared for her, telling Father Johnson “I cannot and will not take a vacation from my vocation.”

Moved by the husband’s sacrifices, Father Johnson spent time in an adoration chapel and asked God if he could ever love God the way his friend loved his wife. In turn, God, Father Johnson said, asked him, “Will you let me love you the way his wife lets him love her?”

Troubled, Father Johnson at first refused, believing that if he made himself vulnerable to God, God would see his sins and failings and not love him, saying, “You are not good enough.”  

But God kept knocking on the door of his heart and telling Father Johnson he loved him. This led Father Johnson to say, “You can love me.” Father Johnson said Jesus then looked at all the pains of his heart, wounds and “inner mess” and affirmed his love for him.

Jesus called sinners and healed them, even St. Peter and the other apostles, said Father Johnson. He also told the youth he was able to see Jesus’ intimate love for him because he opened himself to God.

Following Father Johnson’s talk, a round table discussion was held about various vocations – priest, religious, seminarians, married and single.

A focus on pro-life advocacy was a big part of the vigil.

Elaine Matherne talked about her journey from darkness to light in her healing from abortion. Having survived a checkered past which included sexual abuse, family dysfunction and frequent uprooting because her father was in the military, she found herself pregnant at 21. 

She said her boyfriend told her “to get rid of it or you will never see me again.” 

Matherne had an abortion at Delta Women’s Clinic in Baton Rouge, which was the beginning of years of pain and trauma. Recognizing a spiritual disconnect, she cried out to God, who journeyed with her to a place of light. 

She told her husband who supported her and nudged her in her desire to become more active in the faith community. She now works for Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs, where she serves as the pro-life coordinator, and was cheered on by ICC youth when she was introduced to speak.

Matherne said through everything “God was with me” and he told her “you are mine,” leading her to develop a stronger relationship with the Blessed Mother.

She told the youth God’s assuring message to her: “It’s important for you to realize that you are precious to God,” applies to them.

The evening included prayer, reflections, adoration, small group talks and a lock out in which students raised money for local crisis pregnancy centers through sponsorships for hours they spent sleeping outside.

The highlight of Sunday was a pro-life Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge.

In the homily, Father Taylor Sanford, parochial vicar at ICC, reminded the youth that, as St. Paul points out, they have unique spiritual gifts and are meant to shine with the glory of the Lord. And as royal diadems, they bring their gifts together in that one crown that is God. 

Before he gave the final blessing at Mass, Bishop Duca urged the youth to commit themselves to being “pro-life every day.”

After Mass, the youth marched from OLOM to Delta Women’s Clinic. Carrying pro-life banners and signs and singing and praying, the youth received honks of affirmation from vehicles passing by.

Participants participated in adoration across the street from the facility. They received words of support and gratitude from Allison Millet, executive director of Woman’s New Life Clinic, which supports women in crisis pregnancy center in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. One office is located next door to Delta Clinic. 

She said the sight of the youth in prayer brought tears to her eyes before explaining the mission and service provided by WNLC. The youth toured the facility before returning to SMHS, where Millet gave a talk, “How to be a Light to Others.”

In pulling all the weekend’s elements together Sister Maria Trinity, a Poor Clare of Jerusalem, spoke on “Hope Shines in the Darkness” followed by eucharistic adoration and benediction and a jubilant sending forth of the youth to spread pro-life message.