St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre hosts Youth for Life Pilgrimage

Officials from the Diocese of Rockville Centre and students from eight Catholic schools across Long Island marked the 49th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on Jan. 21 as part of a Youth for Life Pilgrimage and anti-abortion demonstration.

Church officials and students prayed at the Cathedral during a Mass promoting the value of life and commemorating the Feast of St. Agnes, the 12-year-old martyr who later became known as the patron saint of young girls and chastity and purity. The students also held pro-life signs on the lawn of the cathedral.

Nolan Reynolds, who has served as the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of RVC for more than three years, said the diocese traditionally participates in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. each year, but did not attend this year because of Covid-19. In lieu of the trip, the diocese organized the local event.

“We wanted to kind of re-create that locally in a safe way, so we decided to do a pilgrimage to St. Agnes Cathedral,” Reynolds explained. “It’s our central hub and we basically decided to try to mimic some of the experiences from going down on the pilgrimage for March for Life, which included prayer, experiencing the sacraments together and peaceful, prayerful witness to life.”

Eight of the nine Catholic schools on Long Island participated in the event. St. Mary’s in Manhasset was the lone school not present in Rockville Centre because it organized its own event. In all, about 250 church officials, diocese members and students participated.

While the diocese facilitated in a pro-life march, Planned Parenthood marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade by issuing an open letter to the U.S. Senate, urging it to protect abortion rights by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act, citing that half of the U.S. could ban abortion and restrict access to 36 million people.

“If the Supreme Court of the United States decides to dismantle or even overturn Roe v. Wade, there is no telling how it might dismantle voting, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and a multitude of other rights,” the letter read. “The Senate must follow in the House of Representatives’ footsteps now and pass WHPA to protect access to abortion and ensure that no one is denied this fundamental right.”

Reynolds said the diocese event was about reaffirming Catholic teachings and how they relate to abortion laws and to bring people together from across Long Island for a common cause.

“It was like a breath of fresh air because for the past two years, we haven’t been able to come together for events like this for any cause, for any reason,” Reynolds said. “So I know it was very uplifting. It was kind of like on another level an inspiring moment to have young people together, praying together and rallying around a cause that we believe in.”