WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 23, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The closing homily for the National Prayer Vigil for Life was given by New York’s Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan this morning, before the faithful poured out of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and onto the streets of the U.S. capital.
The cardinal-designate, also president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, celebrated the 7:30 a.m. Mass that brought an end to the all-night vigil for those who had just spent the night in what he referred to as «their mother’s home,» the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, America’s national Marian shrine.
He welcomed them all and thanked them for the «radiant inspiration» they had given by their testimony.
We should not lose hope of winning the pro-life battle, he urged them. «God’s grace, God’s power is unlimited! There is no evil, no horror, no sin that is exempt from the healing rays of his grace.»
Noting the difficulties, such as governments that promote abortion, and contraception and abortion being considered «rights,» Cardinal-designate Dolan acknowledged that we can be tempted to despair and to think that all is lost.
«Not us! Not for thousands who have stayed up all night in prayer in this, the home of a pregnant woman;
«Not for hundreds of thousands who will march today with the words of ‘We Shall Overcome’ ringing in our ears,» he exclaimed.
Comparing the struggle to the David versus Goliath contest, he said that like David the pro-life movement «has been dismissed by the Goliath of the well-oiled, well-inked, glitterati-crowded pro-abortion one.»
«But, Goliath the Giant didn’t win, did he? Trusting, shrewd, faithful, confident, energetic little David did!»
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Full text: www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/2012-national-prayer-vigil-for-life-homilies.cfm
