Concluding our March for Life pilgrimage at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Posted below is my homily from the vigil Mass that preceded our departure from Washington D.C. following the March for Life. In all, we were about 650 pilgrims - gathered in the Crypt Church of the Basilica - from the Diocese of Saginaw, our neighboring Diocese of Grand Rapids, and brothers and sisters from the Diocese of Rockford, Ill.

First Reading: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Second Reading: 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27

Gospel: Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21