More than 500 people of all ages gathered in unity in the Marisol Health Denver garden on Saturday, November 2 to honor the Eucharist and stand in solidarity against abortion. Led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila of the Archdiocese of Denver, the Eucharistic Procession and Celebration, hosted by Catholic Charities Respect Life Denver, encouraged prayer and commitment to the fight for the sanctity of life.
“This event really, truly, is about God’s mercy and just seeing His love and mercy here. We are Christ’s hands and feet here on earth; it’s up to us to show His love and mercy in all we do,” said Jeannine Duffield, Director of Respect Life Denver.
This commitment guides Catholic Charities’ mission to protect the sanctity of life in all our ministries, from the beginning of life to its natural end. Through Marisol Women’s Services – a comprehensive network that includes medical care, housing and support services – Catholic Charities meets the urgent and ongoing needs of women and families. By standing with women through pregnancy and beyond, Marisol provides essential resources and support to help them choose life. This past year alone, 225 babies were born to Marisol Health Denver patients and opened a new Marisol Health Northern Colorado clinic in Fort Collins.
As the group made their second pass around Colorado’s largest Parent Parenthood facility, a profound sense of quiet prayer gradually transitioned into song.
Even against the backdrop of challenges to the pro-life effort in the State of Colorado, hope prevailed as families and parish leaders stood together to reflect a spirit of commitment to pregnant women and their young families. “It’s incredibly powerful to see so many people celebrating the dignity of human life and helping to build that culture of life, love and mercy,” Duffield said.
Archbishop Aquila concluded the event with heartfelt gratitude to those who gathered to pray for and defend life. “At this critical moment, with life and death before us, just as they were before Moses, may we continue to cry out as Moses did: ‘Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him’ (Dt 30:19-20),” he said, reminding us all of our vital call to uphold and cherish the sanctity of life in every circumstance.