Rose Day urges faithful to pray, serve, speak up

For the past 28 years, Rose Day has united pro-life men and women from across religious and cultural boundaries in their passion for defending the lives of the unborn. 

On Feb. 3, Oklahomans convened virtually to participate in the 29th annual Rose Day. Despite going virtual, the message of this year’s Rose Day was clear: Pray. Serve. Speak Up. 

The event was kicked off by an inspiring video voiced by different children. The video showed powerful images of children still in the womb, ultrasound technology and fetal development. It also offered facts and statistics about the impact the pro-life movement is having in Oklahoma. 

Father Brian O’Brien of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater led the opening prayer. 

Father O’Brien asked viewers to be “strengthened in our desire to stand for the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. In this moment,” Father O’Brien prayed, “when unborn life is so regularly threatened through abortion, and when the sick and elderly are at risk of being cast aside in our throw away culture, give us what we need to fight the good fight and to be the voice of those with no voice.” 

Gov. Kevin Stitt provided opening comments, stating that while Oklahoma is in the top 10 for pro-life states, he would like it to be No. 1. He also promised to continue to back pro-life legislation. Stitt urged Oklahomans to “pray, serve, speak up and volunteer” where they could.  

Lisa Billy, a member of the Rose Day Committee and former state legislator, said she knows first-hand how important it is for legislators to hear from their constituents. She encouraged viewers to familiarize themselves with the state’s many pregnancy resources and to contact their legislators. Billy said adoption and foster care continue to be critical needs in Oklahoma. 

The 2021 Rose Day keynote speaker was Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, who spent eight years of her life working in the abortion industry. 

Johnson’s view of abortion changed suddenly one day, when she was called to assist in the abortion of a 13-week-old boy. She said she will never forget watching a monitor in horror as the boy futilely struggled and fought for his life against the abortion equipment. 

“I knew at that point there was life and humanity in the womb,” Johnson said. 

Johnson left the abortion industry 11 years ago and said she has never looked back. 

Johnson has since created the ministry, “And Then There Were None,” that assists others who desire to safely leave their work in the abortion industry. 

Brian Hobbs, editor of the Baptist Messenger newspaper and member of the Rose Day Committee, interviewed Johnson virtually. 

Johnson noted “Unplanned,” a movie inspired by the real-life experience of Johnson’s time at Planned Parenthood. 

“The most amazing stories were women who watched the film who were considering abortion and then after watching, chose life,” Johnson said. 

Johnson said she has heard from thousands of men and women involved in abortion, had abortions, men who took girlfriends or wives for abortions, and found post abortion healing. 

She said there was not a day she woke up when there wasn’t an e-mail in her inbox from someone saying they walked into the theater pro-choice and walked out, pro-life. 

Asked about the most pressing issue in the fight for life, Johnson said it was about being unafraid to be a public witness for the rights of the unborn. 

Johnson said the pro-life movement has predominately been a grassroots effort. She said legislation is significant, but true change happens when there is a conversion of heart. 

“[It] is about being willing to have difficult conversations. Abortion is not an option. It is morally objectionable. That should be the mission of the Church.” 

“Many times, we’re called the “silent majority,” Johnson told viewers. “It is time for us to stop being silent.”

“We live in a time where people are afraid to speak up about God’s truth and that is what matters. One of those truths is that life matters and it begins at the moment of conception.” 

“We all have a responsibility to speak life.” 

Rose Day concluded with a prayer by Spencer Ledbetter, pastor of The Cross of Calvary Church, who prayed “we stand with boldness and not intimidation.” 

The full video of this year’s Rose Day can be viewed at roseday.life.

Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic. 

Screenshot photo Eliana Tedrow/Sooner Catholic.