Second statewide Mass and March for Life draw large numbers

With arms outstretched, an exuberant Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., welcomed his brother bishops, priests, religious, and all the lay faithful from throughout New Jersey who packed St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the second statewide Mass for Life on Sept. 25.

“Let us offer to the Lord our heartfelt prayers that our country may turn to the Lord, that we might support the cause for life from conception until natural death,” he said to the standing room only congregation. Hundreds more viewed the livestream from the Cathedral parish hall or on technical devices.

For the Mass, livestreamed in both English and Spanish, Bishop O’Connell was joined by his brother New Jersey bishops including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Paterson Diocese, who was homilist; Bishop Joseph A. Williams from the Camden Diocese, and three Newark Auxiliary Bishops – Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Regional Bishop for Bergen County; Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, Regional Bishop for Essex County, and  Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., Regional Bishop for Union County.

A peaceful witness to the sanctity of life

Also concelebrating the Mass were about 40 priests from the various dioceses. Representatives from the five New Jersey dioceses participated in the Mass, including as readers, altar servers, and gift bearers.

Following Mass, many of the congregants took part in the NJ Rally and March for Life held on the grounds of the State House annex, where they offered a peaceful witness to the sanctity of unborn life. Hundreds of pro-life advocates, including many from the Archdiocese of Newark, braved occasional rain as they marched with banners expressing their views on the essential dignity of every human person.

The Mass was organized by New Jersey’s five Roman Catholic dioceses, while the rally and march were organized by March for Life. The national organization promotes the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion – uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square.

To view more images of the Mass and March for Life, click HERE.

This article was written by staff from the Trenton Monitor with additions by Jersey Catholic.

Featured image: Participants from Saint Helen and Holy Trinity Parishes in Westfield, NJ make their voices heard during the Sept. 27 March for Life in Trenton, NJ. (All photos by Trenton Monitor)