Marching for life in Forest Hills

Below are some shots from this morning’s pro-life prayer march through Forest Hills, which began at my parish and ended about a half a mile away at the Women’s Health Pavilion abortion clinic.

We host these marches twice a year in conjunction with Msgr. Philip O’Reilly and the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. As is the custom, the event began with Mass at 7:30, followed by the march, during which we sang and prayed the rosary.  There was a moment of silence in front of the clinic and then a return march to the church, where we concluded the morning with Benediction.

The Helpers’ philosophy is simple: no confrontation, no conversation — except with God and with the Blessed Mother.  This morning, one woman taunted us along the route — “Jesus wouldn’t be doing this!  You’re wrong!  Jesus wouldn’t be doing this!”  — but she was more or less drowned out by the singing of “Immaculate Mary.”

Something else unique about the Helpers: every Mass is presided over by a bishop.  In our case, it was Brooklyn’s retired Bishop Thomas Daily.  The main celebrant was Msgr. Reilly.

Msgr. Reilly prays before the Blessed Sacrament.