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On January 20th Joan Crown, Director of Respect Life
Ministry, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of
Miami, Most Rev. Felipe Estevez, STD, Rev. Alfred
Cioffi, PhD, STD, Catholic School teachers and parent
chaperones led over 100 enthusiastic teens and
young adults to the annual March For Life in
Washington, DC. The week's events included a visit
the Holocaust Museum and a special mass of healing
and atonement at the Basilica of the Immaculate
Conception at The Catholic University of America,

From March 9-11, 2010 Respect Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami
joined the Catholic Conference of Florida and other statewide Pro-Life
ministries and organizations at our State Capitol for our annual visit to
our legislators. Leading the our delegation were: Archbishop John C.
Favalora, DD, Bishop John Noonan, DD and Mrs. Joan Crown, Director of
Respect Life Ministry and the administrative staff of the Respect Life
Office: Mrs. Barbara Groeber and Mrs. Maureen Freeman.

The visit provided an opportunity to tell our State Government that the citizens of Florida
believe that human life is sacred from conception to natural death. It was an opportunity to
pray and give witness to our common faith in The Divine Right to Life and to speak directly to
our representatives and demand that they vote to protect the lives of the vulnerable citizens
of the State of Florida, especially the unborn child, senior citizens and those who live with
serious illnesses and disabilities.

The Holy Spirit was clearly with the pilgrims to the State Capitol and the message was very
clear.

Human life is the precious gift that the Father vested upon his only-begotten Son; therefore, man
cannot interfere with its natural progress toward realization or terminate it of his own volition.
God has given us the most grave and moral duty: to protect life, to heal those who are broken,
and to serve Jesus who comes to us concealed in human vulnerability. To deliberately destroy
life or casually dismiss those who are unable to care for themselves is to forfeit our humanity.
(Br. Jay Rivera OSF)

The pilgrims to the Capitol were impressed during their visit with Rep. David Rivera who
keeps a board with pictures of children. The Representative explained that he keeps the
board "to remind us why we do what we do."

Our delegates described the experiences as "uplifting to see young people on fire for life." They
saw some positive changes among the younger generation of legislators as they relate to one
another. We hope that an increased cooperation between all parties will be a means to
increased consciousness and dialogue on the essential life issues of our state and our nation.

presided by Bishop Estevez.. There was also time for prayer, discussion, reflection, and a talk to
the young pilgrims by actress and pilgrim Jennifer O'Neill. The pilgrimage culminated with the
march itself at the Mall on the south side of our Nation's Capitol.

This year, over 300,000 people attended The March, making it the largest congregation of pro-life
citizens in its history. Those who have attended for almost 40-years reported that this was by far
the largest gathering at the historic march. The voice of the Lord was heard through the
hundreds of thousands who walked shoulder to shoulder to the House of Government. The
presence of so many citizens on the Mall, those attending concurrent marches across the country,
and those praying for the pilgrims from their homes, is a sign that God's grace is at work in our
nation.

What does the increase in participation mean? There are several messages here. First, the
American conscience is waking up to the horrors of abortion. Second, the pain and the silent
scream of the unborn is being heard by people of all ages, races, creeds and political ideologies.
Third, the young are ready and willing to take over the battle for the life of the unborn and the
vulnerable members of society. Finally, the time of prophets is not over. A new generation of
prophets has come of age.

The teens who came back from Washington immediately began the work of evangelization in
their schools, youth groups, parishes and families. Their message fell on fertile ground. Those
who heard their compelling proclamation of the Gospel of Life listened attentively and are
responding. Already, a group of young people from St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Pembroke
Pines asked if they could begin a Respect Life project that targets youth. Students are writing
letters, speaking to their classmates, and speaking the truth about abortion in our Catholic
schools and in their communities.

Before moving on, we'd like to share with you the testimony of one of our young pilgrims.