Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego was joined by priests, religious and seminarians, along with lay Catholics of all ages for the march and Mass that followed. After torrential rain and icy winds that led up to the day of the walk, Christians from all walks of life were greeted that morning with a ray of sunshine and temperatures in the 70’s.
Diocesan seminarians from St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo and St. Junipero Serra House of Formation in Grand Terrace made the trip. Seminarian Gio Hernandez offered this reflection on the importance of the event:
“These walks that happen across our nation inspire not only myself but also my fellow seminarian brothers to go out into the streets and join the thousands who go out year after year in hopes of ending abortion. I began to attend these marches back in 2013 traveling up to San Francisco to be part of the West Coast Walk for Life, a life changing event that would open my eyes to the need for both prayer and action. A few years ago, OneLife LA began, making it possible for those of us in the Diocese of San Bernardino to more easily join the multitudes in the streets in solidarity and prayer.”
Diocesan parishes again showed strong participation in the OneLife LA this year. St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills rented a bus for their parishioners. Knights of Columbus Council #15339 represented St. Margaret Mary Parish in Chino. St. Peter & St. Paul, Alta Loma, St. James, Perris and St. Mary, Fontana were well represented. Newman Ministry in San Bernardino showed their commitment to life as they have for many years, as did the Couples for Christ Ministry.
Throughout the walk participants prayed the Rosary, singing and rejoicing the beauty of life. Their synergy graced tens of thousands of walkers as they walked from La Placita Olvera to Exposition Park. There they were greeted by food vendors, music and a special welcome from Archbishop Jose Gomez. Speakers such as Lizzie Velasquez, an anti-bullying activist and author, spoke about overcoming adversity and finding the inner strength to turn self-doubt, shame, and cruelty into empathy of self and others. The event concluded with a beautiful Requiem Mass for the Unborn at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and a call to mission to advocate for those that have no voice.