Building a culture of life

Mother Teresa Church was fortunate indeed to have Jeanne Mancini give us her observations and reflections from over ten years as president of March for Life. She also suggested ways for the faithful to shape a culture of life in our nation.

Mancini spoke to Mother Teresa parishioners and guests last week as part of Respect Life Month.

Cultural changes are slow. It took 58 years to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson, which ruled separate but equal segregation laws accommodations unconstitutional. It took 59 years for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.

In this new post-Roe season, the goal is to make abortion unthinkable, she said. “We must change hearts and minds; this is much more important than changing politics or culture.”

The blueprint for such a sea change is contained in St. Pope John Paul II’s 1988 apostolic exhortation Christi Fideles Laici, in which he tells the laity “to keep a watchful eye on this our world, with its problems and values, its unrest and hopes, its defeats and triumphs … This, then, is the vineyard.”

“Catholic social teaching makes it clear that we have a role to play in shaping temporal reality,” she said. “We are to be the salt and light in the world.”

Mancini gave us three things to do to shape the culture of life. First, pray. The rosary and formulaic prayers are excellent. But the most important thing we can do is learn to hear God. Meditate, read scripture and ponder for 15 minutes a day. Every day. Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, which is more than just doing good works.

Most of all, we must love — the heroic love Mother Teresa discusses. That means to forgive freely, for unforgiveness can prevent the inner light of peacefulness from shining.

The next March For Life in Washington, DC, will be on January 19, 2024. Mancini told us that 70 to 80% of the attendees are young people. They are the best ambassadors for life, and their joy is contagious. Stay tuned for information about attending the March with a contingent from our parish.

- Carol Kelly
Respect Life Committee

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