TRUMBULL—With suddenly beautiful spring and a light breeze lifting the newly opened leaves, people throughout the diocese gathered at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull for the Mass for the Unborn and rededication of the Memorial to the Unborn.
The Mass was hosted the Knights of Columbus Pope Saint John XXIII Council 5987 from St. Jude Parish in Monroe. Father Zbigniew Zielinski, of St. Jude’s Parish, celebrated the Mass.
“We hold this Mass each May since this is the month of Mary with intentions of special devotions. Ours is the rededication of our stone and remembrance of the souls of the babies that were not brought to the full joy of life,” said Paul Sideleau, Officer of the Knights of Columbus Local 5987 Council and Chairman of the event.
“As Catholics, we celebrate May as the month of Mary, with special devotions organized on each day throughout the month,” he said.
The morning liturgy and dedication event brought together members from many different local parishes in order to pray for and commemorate the souls of the unborn.
Many on hand felt that the beautiful spring weather truly reflected a celebration of the sanctity of life.
The Mass was dedicated in a special way through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is the Patroness of the Unborn and the Pro-Life Movement.
“As the Mother of God, we entrust to Our Lady the protection of all human life. Mary freely accepted God’s role for her to carry the Son of God Incarnate in her womb and be his mother. Since Mary is the Mother of Christ, she is also considered mother of His believers, therefore Mother of the Church,” said Sideleau.
Deacon Brad Smythe of St. Joseph Parish in Shelton prayerfully gave an intention for all unborn children, including those lost through miscarriages or stillbirths.
In his homily, Father Zielinski talked about the significance of the sacredness of all human life, how we must give thanks for the gift of human life at all stages, and how this inspires us to better appreciate the people God has placed in our lives.
“It is clear throughout the gospel that Jesus Christ loved children,” said Father Zielinski. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14 RSV).
Father Zielinski said that each one of us, born or unborn, is a beloved child of God and nothing can separate us from Christ’s love and redemption. Father said, “It is with confidence that we trust in Jesus…who has prepared a place for these children lost in abortion.”
The celebrant also voiced the importance of standing up for the sanctity of life, saying, “It is important for us to come to the understanding of the struggle we have to stand up for the right for life.”
We are also called to support the availability of resources that can help mothers who are struggling with the decision. It is important that we pray that they may come to know the love and peace of Christ, Fr. Zielinski said.
At the end of the service, each person in attendance was given a rose to place at the memorial site. It was a solemn moment of prayer for all gathered. In this month of May, let us entrust our intentions to Mary and in a special way remember the souls of the unborn.