Live Life Participates in the Walk for Life 2023

Manila – Thousands of faithful Catholics participated in the annual peaceful gathering called Walk for Life last February 18 from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Its theme for this year was “SANAOL (Synodality, Accompaniment and Nearness) Let’s All Walk Together for Life”. 

Photo courtesy of Nona Cammayo

 

The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown promoted the event saying, “This very important gathering is an opportunity for you personally to show your conviction that human life is sacred and the threats to the right to life of all human beings from the moment of conception until natural death should be resisted”. Every year, Walk for Life aims to highlight the solidarity of different Catholic pro-life groups and individuals in upholding the dignity of life” from conception to natural death. Led and organized by the Catholic Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas in partnership with the with the Episcopal Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the pro-life event first took place in 2017.

This year’s march started from Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City and ended at the University of Santo Tomas Grandstand. Participants were praying the different mysteries of the Holy Rosary as offering for the fight against the culture of death. The program proper started in the UST Grandstands with its hosts from the Ligaya ng Panginoon community. It included some performances from different groups and a short session from keynote speakers.

The whole program culminated with the celebration of the Holy Mass which was led by Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

 

Proclaiming the Gospel of Life

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?”
Mark 4:21

These words of Jesus spoke to my flickering missionary heart.

As a missionary, I am always expected to boldly proclaim the Gospel at all times and in all places. It sounds courageous, selfless, and heroic even for others. But in reality, the call to proclaim the gospel in this generation is formidable especially in our “woke” generation. Often, I would feel so little to be used by God to speak in front of hundreds of people.
There were times when I prepare for my talks or wait for my session to begin that I would swiftly glance around the room and have a quick  scan of my audience and imagine them often ready to throw an intimidating look at me and earnest to raise their hands and speak up while I was giving a talk, wishing to beat down all the points I have shared and presented. It would often lead me to unnecessary anxiety. But thankfully, all my negative thoughts would always end with God assuring me of His love and mercy. He would remind me again and again that the people who will hear what I will speak about in every session need the Gospel. They need the Good News so that they may live life according to God’s plan for them. But more so, I need to proclaim the Gospel because this is what I am called to. I would be selfish not to share the best gift in my life that I have received and that is knowing Jesus Christ. I need to proclaim the gospel so that more people would find the real meaning of life.

It’s always scary but the power of the Holy Spirit empowers me to speak with confidence because what I am speaking about marriage, family, and life is the truth. There’s nothing more that can give you confidence when you know you are on the side of the truth.

So the next time you are given the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, say yes. Let the light of Christ shine brightly in your life so that others may see Him. Step in faith and our good Lord will help you accomplish what you must.