Although often associated with supporting unborn children, the pro-life movement encompasses representing marginalized groups from conception to natural death. “I think it’s great to bring people within your local community to something beautiful like this and to open up their eyes, especially if they maybe aren’t 100 percent pro-life,” shared Isabel Cavazos who drove an hour for the march from Our Lady of the Angels parish in Lakewood Ranch. 

People filed into every pew, and many were left standing in the back or along the sides as the church was filled to the brim. In the homily, Rev. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, encouraged those in attendance to have hope and humility in standing up for life. 

Following Mass, the crowd spilled onto the sidewalk and began the march to Perrey Harvey, Sr. Park. As the streets filled, one could truly see the immensity of the group and diversity of the people. 

Participants came from every walk of life, ranging from babies to seniors and from Catholics to non-religious. United by the same cause, many exchanged stories, sang hymns, and prayed together as they marched. Whether they had experienced an unplanned pregnancy themselves, or they wanted to show support for mothers, all in attendance were there for a specific reason. 

“Life begins at conception, and I want to help support that and help the whole world know,” explained Zach, a young man from Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Tampa. “It’s not only a woman’s issue, it’s really a humanity issue.” 

As participants walked through the streets, protestors appeared, attempting to dissuade those marching. They chanted, cursed, and mocked, expressing their hatred of the pro-life cause. Rather than respond in anger, participants offered assurances of kindness, love, and prayers. 

Upon arriving in the park, all gathered for a period of worship and a short talk about the historical significance of the location. The area was once a refuge for African Americans, another marginalized group. The keynote speaker, Joel Stepanek, delivered a moving and impactful talk challenging everyone listening to “stand in the gap,” inserting oneself as a line of defense and insisting that every person has dignity, and value. This includes protecting and walking with women and their pre-born children. 

“This fight is different. Ten states this last November had constitutional amendments proposed to enshrine abortion, including Florida,” explained Stepanek. “It requires a cultural shift toward everything we do.” 

The culture of the world has changed. Not only is life no longer protected in the womb but has begun extending to other groups. Stepanek explained that if the culture continues in this trend, the dignity of life will cease to be upheld with the elderly, sick, mentally ill, disabled, and more, because if the most vulnerable are not appreciated, no life will be. 

Stepanek opened his Bible and shared a passage that illustrated Jesus “standing in the gap” as he encouraged those present to do. The well-known passage from John describes a woman who was caught in adultery and is brought to Jesus. Those presenting her inform him that the law commands she be stoned for her actions. Jesus kneels in front of the woman and instructs the crowd that whoever is without sin should throw the first stone. None condemn her and the crowd leaves. 

“There’s a precedent set for this of what it means to stand in the gap,” Stepanek explains. 

“Jesus stands in the gap, or rather, he kneels…If the crowd were to stone the woman, Jesus would bear some of the injury, if not the death. This is the profound cultural shift of the pro-life movement– to stand in the gap and to put ourselves in harm's way so that life might be protected and defended from conception to natural death.” 

Participating in a march and rally like this provided many with the confidence to go back to their communities and share the pro-life message. In today’s society, courage and confidence are needed to promote a culture of life. 

“Even though I didn’t get to bring any friends with me, I can share my experience here with my coworkers which can be a little intimidating because not a lot of people in our world are pro-life,” added Cavazos. “I think going to something like this helps encourage me to open up that conversation to people.” 

Stepanek left the participants with a challenge to take the experience of the march and follow Jesus’ example in the local community and within their families. “Be ready to stand in the gap when the world puts a situation in front of us where we will say ‘If you would wish to be the one to cast the first stone, you may, but I will stand here and I will take it along with that person because I will not let them suffer alone. I will not let their voice be silenced.’”