The end of January is an important moment each year, for us as Catholics and for people of good will generally. Each Jan. 22, we pause to remind ourselves of the Supreme Court decision known as Roe v. Wade. That is the decision issued on that date in 1973 that legalized abortion in the United States.

Since that time, an estimated 55 million–60 million babies have had their lives taken before they were able to be born. We cannot avert our minds from this destructive element in our society. As Catholics, we are aware that the Catholic Church in the United States has been at the forefront of speaking for respect for the right to life since that terrible decision 44 years ago.

We are also, however, aware of the sadness and pain that has resulted for men and particularly for the women who have aborted their children, often to experience profound regrets later.

Pope St. John Paul II reminded us of the commitment of the Church to attend to those spiritual wounds when he wrote to women in his Encyclical Evangelium Vitae,  “The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” (99).

Each year, on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a massive march takes place in Washington D.C. to remind the world, our politicians and ourselves that the Supreme Court decision must change. Life must be protected. Our Catholic young people from all over give witness to the Gospel of Life by participating in the march. From the Diocese of Rockford, students from at least 14 of our Catholic schools and parishes are making the arduous pilgrimage to Washington to join the march.

Their time in the nation’s capital will be centered on faith. The evening before the march, a huge Mass for Life will be celebrated in the Basilica of the National Shrine. The next morning, the young people gather again for Mass before the march and then the long return ride home. How proud we should be of all of our young people who witness to life.

Still, the struggle to protect life continues. We all need to be aware of the continuing and evolving dangers, especially for the unborn. Here in Illinois, House Bill 40 has been introduced for consideration in the new General Assembly in Springfield. That bill, if approved, seeks to use tax dollars to finance abortion services for state employees and in the Illinois Medicaid program. In essence it would be one more offense against the right of conscience not to participate in or pay for the termination of the life of the unborn.

How strange that in a time of financial need, authorization would be sought to pay to take the lives of the most vulnerable. Please, contact your state representative to urge him or her to protect the unborn and respect consciences.

I look forward to joining in person our young people who will march for life. I ask all of us to join them in prayer, asking God’s forgiveness for our society, healing for all those who have experienced abortion, help for those experiencing difficult pregnancies, and for the legal and cultural changes needed to protect all human lives.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in His own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”