The Legion of Mary prayed the rosary inside the Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart Jan. 23, while Bishop Michael Sis, Deacon Erick Morgado, and an honor guard of the Knights of Columbus led faithful bundled against the cold wind in an outdoor rosary procession in downtown San Angelo. The prayers and procession, offered on the historic date of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide, was preamble to the diocesan Mass for Life celebrated by Bishop Sis in the cathedral.

In his homily, Bishop Sis reflected on the Gospel account of the Visitation in Luke 1:39-56, the story of the pregnant Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth and of John the Baptist’s leaping for joy in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of Jesus. Bishop Sis noted that the Bible describes Elizabeth as six months’ pregnant at the time of Jesus’ conception and the church liturgical calendar therefore celebrates John the Baptist’s birth six months before Christmas, on June 24. June 24, 2022, was also the date the Supreme Court handed down their decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, reversing the decision of Roe.

“I think John the Baptist would be proud of that Supreme Court decision,” Bishop Sis said. He noted that “this evening is also a time to give thanks” for recent local ordinances that create “sanctuary cities for the unborn,” municipalities that will continue to outlaw abortion even if the state or national landscape change. In this diocese, San Angelo, Abilene, Odessa, Big Spring, Sterling City, and Colorado City have enacted such provisions. The bishop implored people to pray for more protections for the unborn around the country and world.

Bishop Sis also took time to answer the claim that restrictions on abortion are an example of “men telling women what to do with their bodies,” noting that it is a common argument made by opponents of pro-life ministries. “However, when you look around here tonight, you see that those gathered here” are both men and women, the bishop said. He also cited women who have been integral to the battle for the right to life in this country: Nellie Gray, a Big Spring, Texas, native who founded the March for Life and is credited with popularizing the term “pro-life”; Norma McCorvey, who was known as “Jane Roe” in the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court case that extended abortion protections across the country, and who later regretted her role in that case and became a pro-life advocate; and Abby Johnson, the former abortion clinic director turned pro-life advocate and inspiration for the movie Unplanned who will be the speaker at a Project Rachel benefit dinner in Midland March 11.

“Our effort to defend the lives of the unborn is not just a men’s movement,” Bishop Sis said. “If it were just men, it would never be successful!” he added to laughter. “It is a joint effort of men and women working together in harmony.”

Bishop Sis concluded his homily with a reflection on God’s words to the prophet Isaiah that he would be a “light to the nations.” “It is my hope,” Bishop Sis said, “that God may use you and me as his humble and joyful instruments to be a light to the nations defending the precious right to life.”