SALT LAKE CITY — Bishop Oscar A. Solis celebrated the annual Mass for the Unborn at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Jan. 20. In attendance were parishioners from all over the Diocese of Salt Lake City as well as representatives of the Diocesan Life Commission, Utah Catholic Schools and Knights of Columbus.
Concelebrating the Mass were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; the Very Rev. Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; and several other priests of the diocese. Deacon Guillermo Mendez and Deacon Scott Dodge assisted.
At the opening of the Mass, Bishop Solis, speaking in English and in Spanish, said, “Each and every human life is of great value and dignity, worthy of respect, protection and safe keeping. Any threat to any human dignity and life must necessarily be felt in the Church, so we are gathered here today to once again commit to protect life.”
In his homily, Bishop Solis noted that the vigil prayer for the protection of life allowed those attending the Mass to align with millions of Catholics celebrating the nationwide vigil to end abortion sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“We believe in God’s plan that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, made to be in loving union with him,” Bishop Solis said.
Those at the Mass gathered to remember and to mourn the lives that have been lost. Bishop Solis said the Eucharist was being offered that night for all the souls who were killed before they could be born, for their mothers and fathers, and for all those who know the pain of abortion.
“In the Old Testament it states that we are wonderfully made; it means that every human life is worthy and beautiful in God’s eyes, even the tiny, indefensible babies in the wombs, children with physical and mental challenges, the elderly and terminally ill, the refugees and the incarcerated, pregnant mothers facing difficult circumstances in their lives,” he said, underlining the fact that Church teaching is clear that every human life, from conception to natural death, is sacred.
Every time a child dies in the womb, something of our humanity dies as well, the bishop said, and over the long decades of legalized abortion in the United States, “we all know we have fallen short of what is expected of us.”
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has turned the legal issue of abortion over to the states, Catholics and other people of good will are continuing their efforts to build a culture of life.
At every Mass Catholics are reminded of the infinite love that God has for humankind, because it is a commemoration that the Father sent his only son for humanity’s salvation, Bishop Solis said, and urged the congregation to always respect life.
“My dear friends, God’s grace impels us to share his love with others. … Love and compassion can restore human dignity and build a better society that embraces especially those rejected by others,” he said.
All people should know these truths, he said, and that “is the reason we are gathered here today to pray to end the evil and sin of abortion, to protect the unborn and all other children as well as their mothers in their time of crisis.”
After Communion, as the Ceremony of Lights began, Bishop Solis asked for God’s grace so “we become agents of life in our society and in our world to combat the culture of death.”
Lit candles in front of the altar represented the many victims of abortion in the state of Utah, which include not only thousands of unborn children but also “thousands of women who suffered in many ways for having made this difficult choice. ... The victims include men who lost their sons and daughters,” the bishop said.
“Life is wonderful and a priceless gift from God,” Bishop Solis said as the lights in the cathedral were dimmed for one minute of silence.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer. Then, as people processed out, they were able to light small candles to place on the outside steps, where the Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard.
“What a beautiful way to elevate our prayers for the little ones that didn’t have a chance to live,” said Maricela Jimenez, a Sacred Heart parishioner, as she took a candle.
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