A teen’s-eye view of the March for Life

Following Mass at Saint Joseph Old Cathedral, Emma Bowman filed outside for the two-mile walk – make that a march – to the state capitol, not knowing what to expect that June 8 morning.

Soon, her first March for Life turned magical.

Bowman and her boyfriend Adam Eliot, both rising seniors at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School, along with Adam’s mom Wendy Eliot, walked and prayed the rosary in their quest to lend a voice for the sanctity of life.

“This was my first time attending the March for Life,” Bowman said. “And it was an awesome experience.”

The annual event moved from the chill of January to the heat of June. And it was hot – upper 90s – yet pro-lifers gathered peacefully at the capitol in unity. Archbishop Paul Coakley and Tulsa Bishop David Konderla spoke, along with others.

“I hadn’t expected as many people to show up, considering it was a Saturday in the summer,” Bowman said. “Everyone persevered through the heat. It was amazing to see so many people there.

“I found it particularly beautiful to see so many families and young children.”

All ages were represented, including students like Bowman, a parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, and Eliot, who attends Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mustang with his mom. Marchers came from near and far, too.

And they came to support the right to life, from conception to natural death.

“I marched because I wanted to advocate for all those whose lives are threatened,” Bowman said. “In particular, I wanted to march for the unborn and their mothers, and those who are incarcerated and facing execution.

“One of the fundamental rights our great nation was founded upon was the right to life, without which we cannot hope to obtain liberty and happiness.”

John Helsley is editor of the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: (Top) Emma Bowman and Adam Eliot at the Oklahoma March for Life on June 8 in Oklahoma City. Photo provided.





The Oklahoma March for Life was held June 8 in Oklahoma City. Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Old Cathedral. After Mass, participants marched from the church to the Oklahoma State Capitol. Featured speakers were Archbishop Coakley, Bishop David Konderla, Josiah Presley, and Representative Jon Echols. Paul Abner was the master of ceremonies. Photos Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.