On March 25, members of the Boston College and local communities celebrated a “Mass for Life” in St. Mary’s Chapel on the Boston College campus.

About 40 people, including two dozen graduate and undergraduate students, attended the 7:30pm Mass. Members of local parishes led the Rosary immediately preceding the Mass.

Fr. Raymond Helmick, SJ presided over the Mass. He explained that the Mass was one in a series of monthly celebrations occurring from the feast of the Annunciation in March until the Nativity of Christ at Christmas in December.

Fr. Helmick stated that he has been presiding over the Masses in the series for at least a dozen years, but that Fr. Paul Kenney, SJ, who may have learned of a similar tradition in Great Britain, began it at Boston College.

In his homily, Fr. Helmick said that those in attendance celebrate the Masses “as a way of prayer… as a way of witness for the sanctity of life.” He clarified that this means all endangered life, especially the unborn.

Despite the often poor reception of life in the culture, Fr. Helmick reflected that the Masses are “a very happy exercise.” He cited the joy of the Annunciation as the basis for such a statement. Mary, said Fr. Helmick, found comfort in God, so we must do similarly.

Fr. Helmick acknowledged that the question concerning abortion is often “very political,” but also noted that this is not “the most important part of it.” He said that the recently passed healthcare legislation does not constitute a total loss for the pro-life movement, since it is “tremendously important” that we are respectful that everyone has access to healthcare. By the same token, however, all people, and especially Catholics, have a responsibility to protect the unborn.

According to Fr. Helmick, Catholics’ support for life “must be a matter of complete witness” in their lives.

Dana Flynn, a sophomore in the Carroll School of Management and President of the Boston College Pro-Life Club says that she supports activities like the Masses for Life on campus.

“As a Catholic university, I think that it is important that there be on-campus events like this,” tells Flynn.

“However,” she continues, “it is also important to realize that the life issue is not only a Catholic issue. As a club, we try to organize events that appeal to many different kinds of people, and maintain that our club is for anyone who supports life.”

The next Mass for Life will be celebrated on April 25 at 7:30pm in St. Mary’s Chapel.

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