Supreme Chaplain Offers Mass at Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life

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Bishop William E. Lori acted as celebrant and homilist during Mass on Jan. 21, as part of the 13th Annual Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life held at Georgetown University prior to the March for Life.

“It is not enough for us to be pro-life intellectually and politically,” Bishop Lori said in his homily during the Saturday evening Mass. We must embrace the Gospel of Life in the depth of our souls in such a way that it continually transforms us: bringing us to our knees in repentance for our own failures against human dignity; filling us with joy and gratitude for God’s gift of human life; permeating our minds & hearts with bedrock convictions, born of faith & reason, about the inviolable dignity of human life at every stage,” Bishop Lori said in his homily. (Read full homily)

The conference has been annually held at Georgetown University since 2000 as a vehicle to connect and educate college and high school students from around the country during the days prior to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. The conference was named for the late Cardinal John O’Connor, Archbishop of New York and a Georgetown alumnus, in recognition of his dedication to defending the sacredness of all human life.

The 2012 conference was co-sponsored by Georgetown University Council 6375.

On Sunday, Jan. 22, the conference continued with a keynote address from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of Philadelphia.

“The task you need to take home with you today is this, never give up the struggle that the March for Life embodies,” Archbishop Chaput told the conference attendees.  “No matter how long it takes; no matter how many times you march – it matters, eternally. Because of you, some young woman will choose life, and that new life will have the love of God forever.” (Read full remarks)

Several members of Congress also offered remarks during the conference.

In addition to the Cardinal O’Connor Conference, the Knights also hosted a “Pro-Life Leadership Mass” at the Blessed John Paul II Shrine for the leaders of various pro-life groups. In addition, the “You and Me” pro-life exhibition from the Sisters of Life (first shown at World Youth Day 2012 in Madrid), is also being featured at the shrine and was viewed by hundreds of people throughout the weekend.

Also in the time prior to Monday’s march, Knights from the District of Columbia served as ushers during the Mass opening the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Sunday evening. They additionally helped assemble and distribute thousands of “Defend Life” signs that are carried by participants in the march.