Written by Monique Krawecki
Event Recap: 2024 March for Life in Ottawa
The Fatima Center participated in the March for Life in Ottawa on May 9, 2024, and was proud to co-sponsor this annual event for the first time. As a sponsor, we were able to host a booth at the Pro-Life Expo[1] and Youth Summit[2] where we could distribute Fatima resources and talk to people about the Message of Fatima. Most had not heard the full Message of Fatima nor did they realize it is the only solution given by God to win this spiritual battle.
The Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was present at the March because the battle for life is a spiritual battle, which will only be won once the Church obeys the requests of Our Lady of Fatima. Our statue is one of 25 statues blessed by Pope Paul VI for the purpose of travelling within various countries to spread the Message of Fatima.
Our day began with a beautiful Solemn High Mass at St. Clement’s Church to honor the Feast of the Ascension. We then gathered on Parliament Hill for the 27th Annual March for Life in Ottawa. This year’s theme was “I Will Never Forget You,” based on Isaiah 49:15.
“Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? And if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee.”
The crowds were large and enthusiastic. The weather started out well with a mix of sun and clouds. It was neither too hot nor too cold. There was one burst of a small rain shower, but it didn’t last long.
Once again this year, the boys from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in New Hamburg, Ontario carried our beautiful statue through the streets of Ottawa, flanked by flag bearers carrying the flags of Canada, Ontario, the Holy See, and the boys’ school. That sight was made even more impressive by the priests of the school leading the Rosary in Latin and singing all of the Hail Mary’s. Each decade ended with singing, “Christus Vincit, Christus Regnant, Christus Imperat” (Christ Conquers, Christ Reigns, Christ Commands). The March for Life is always an opportunity to offer reparation to God for the sins of our country – especially abortion and euthanasia – and to beg God for the graces to stop these evils.
Many people bowed their heads or made the Sign of the Cross as the Pilgrim Virgin statue passed them. Others took photos of the boys carrying the statue and commented on their beautiful singing of the Hail Mary’s. At the end of the March, a devout crowd of pro-life supporters, not affiliated with the school nor The Fatima Center, gathered around in front of Our Lady’s statue, kneeling to finish praying the Rosary and to take pictures of our Holy Mother’s miraculous statue. After the Rosary, Father gave everyone his blessing.
During the March, The Fatima Center handed out Rosaries and information on the Fatima Message. We also handed out St. Joseph prayer cards because 2024 marks the 400th anniversary of Canada being consecrated to St. Joseph (on March 19, 1624), which made St. Joseph the Patron Saint of Canada. Sadly, many Canadians did not know this fact.
Following the March for Life, The Fatima Center staffed an information booth and was present at the Pro-Life Expo held before and after the Rose Gala Dinner.[3] Our Fatima resources were made available to everyone. We urged people to sign up for the First Saturday Challenge, since the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s request – Dec. 10, 2025 – for the devotion of reparation for sins committed against Her Immaculate Heart is coming up quickly. We only have 19 First Saturdays left to reach our target number of 100,000 First Saturdays!
The Pro-Life Expo continued the next day, May 10th, during the March for Life Youth Summit. There we also offered our materials on the Fatima Message to many young people, some of whom had never even heard of the Fatima Message. We also promoted our upcoming Fatima Youth Conference in Buffalo on August 16-18, 2024, as well as our First Saturday Challenge. It was wonderful to connect with so many young people, who bring energy and joy to the fight for life!
In summary, we are exceedingly grateful to Our Lady for the ability to make connections with so many pro-life groups. We were blessed with the opportunity to interact with many people who attended the Pro-Life Expo the day after the March, providing them with additional materials regarding Our Lady’s Fatima Message. Most of the people we networked with are outside our regular Fatima supporters, so it was a grace-filled time to expand our reach.
We had many edifying conversations with people of goodwill who understand that the fight for life is a spiritual battle. We convinced some of the need to make reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary by performing the First Saturday devotion. They indicated they would sign up for our First Saturday Challenge and promote it to others. It was exciting to share the solution to this spiritual battle with others who had not heard the Message of Fatima (especially among the youth), or if they had heard of Fatima, did not know the whole story or how devotion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart and obeying Her requests is truly the only solution to stopping the evil overwhelming our world.
The Fatima Center will continue, even increase, its efforts to spread the Fatima Message to other people of goodwill so that they may earn graces for themselves, the conversion of sinners, and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of Canada, pray for us.
[1] The Pro-Life Expo was held in a large conference center. The various pro-life organizations who sponsored the March for Life set up tables to share information about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in which they engage. Other groups present, in addition to The Fatima Center, were Campaign Life Coalition, LifeSiteNews, Silent No More, 40 Days for Life, and the Knights of Columbus. The Expo also included a well-attended 90-minute reception before the Gala Dinner.
[2] The Youth Summit was similar to a one-day conference. Young pro-lifers listened to various speakers – including Abby Johnson and Mary Wagner – that strengthened their pro-life resolve, attended workshops that imparted pro-life skills, and enjoyed socializing with one another. The summit was co-hosted by Campaign Life Coalition Youth and Niagara Region Right to Life.
[3] The Campaign Life Coalition hosted the Rose Gala Dinner. All the sponsors and many other pro-life supporters gathered for a meal and fellowship. We heard powerful speeches and honored exemplary workers within the Pro-Life movement. This year, the keynote speakers were Abby Johnson from And Then There Were None (working to get abortion workers to leave Planned Parenthood) and Shawn Carney, co-founder of 40 Days for Life. Angelina Steenstra and her husband received an award for their tireless labor in Silent No More Awareness (an organization that helps women who have had abortions find healing).