A mom’s fears over a daughter attending the March for Life

By Kim Roberts
NOLA Catholic Parenting

This year my youngest child, a high school junior, was able to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., with our parish CYO. She traveled with 30 other high school students, most of whom she has known since pre-K.

My older two children have been fortunate to participate in the march twice each, several years ago. They are now both in their mid- to late-20s. Even though they had attended the same rally, my older kids shared different stories and experiences of how the march gave voice to unborn children who can’t speak for themselves.

I have to admit, I had more of a heightened concern over my youngest taking this trek and going to this rally because of the world in which we find ourselves living today. So much has changed in the way everyone interacts; people are desensitized more and more with each passing day. I worried about what she would be exposed to that was out of my control. Would she be yelled at, ridiculed, spit on or actually physically attacked?

The images of Nick Sandmann were imbedded in my Catholic parent’s brain. Sandmann was a student of Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky who attended the March for Life in 2019 and was videoed near the Lincoln Memorial, silently facing Native American activist Nathan Phillips. The tape went viral.

I had no idea what to expect or how to best prepare her. I asked her brother and sister to talk to her about their experiences – a peaceful march of like-minded individuals, with a pro-abortion protester every now and then shouting obscenities. Nothing to be alarmed over.

Unfortunately, I knew she needed to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. I told her if she were to encounter any resistance, she was not to engage, argue, fight or make eye contact with anyone who had a difference of opinion. I told her to just keep walking and stay with her group.

The main thing I told her was to trust that God would protect her, and that the cause she was marching for was just, so he would protect her. I trusted the chaperones and knew they would keep the kids safe, but I couldn’t help but worry a little.

Then, the night before the march, I saw on the news that some pro-choice group projected a pro-abortion slogan on the outside of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during Mass.

OK. My child was going to attend Mass at the basilica the next morning, and someone was defiling the church the night before. I needed to stay calm. I needed to realize right then, at that moment, that I had to heed my own words and put my trust in the Lord completely.

I prayed and asked that God protect my child and all the children who were marching for the lives of the unborn. It was easy to give in and feel helpless as my baby was hundreds of miles away in a possibly volatile environment, and I could do nothing to protect her. But I knew I was doing all I could to protect her.

I had faith. My faith in God was going to see her, and me, through and bring her home unscathed.

I knew, at the end of the day, that her marching to stop the violations against the dignity of the unborn was marching on the right side of history. I was able to push my fears down, and a peace came over me. Mere words can’t express how proud I am of her, of all my children, and all of the kids who took the time to participate in the March for Life.

And, yes, she came home and told me they did not encounter any resistance at all – not one protester, sign or ugly word was uttered. Praise the Lord.

Kim Roberts resides in River Ridge with her husband and teenage daughter. She also has two adult children and is active at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish and its Home and School Association. She has been president of the Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs, is currently on the St. Mary’s Dominican High Parents’ Club board and works with the Notre Dame Seminary Gala Committee and the Keep Christ in Christmas Committee.  She has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Louisiana Tech University as well as a master of arts degree and is a freelance writer.