As we gathered under the towering presence of the Washington Monument, the excitement of the Pro-Life Marchers was palpable. For many in our country it seemed that the great pro-life victory achieved by the overturning of Roe vs Wade in 2022 marked the end of the Pro-Life movement on the national stage. But nothing could be further from the truth. Our drive to transform the culture of death into a truly pro-life generation and to end the victimization of the most innocent in our society has only increased, as political support and a great awareness of the sanctity of life continues to spread. Listening to the Vice President of the United States address the captivated crowd we could feel the winds of change stirring above our nation’s capital.
The members of the Blue Army had a special mission this year, to process with the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the Capitol Building. This same statue, given to the Bishop of Fatima in 1967 and blessed by St. Paul VI, journeyed to Indianapolis in July 2024, along the Seton pilgrimage route to take a place of honor at the National Eucharistic Congress. The presence of Our Lady of Fatima at the premier pro-life demonstration is an extension of the Eucharistic pilgrimage on which we embarked last year. The revival of the Catholic Church in Eucharistic devotion is an integral part of the revival of our nation in a Culture of Life.
Joining us and volunteering for the honor of carrying the statue were several students from Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. This Catholic college has been at the forefront of excellent, faithful education and formation, daring its students to be great by embracing the universal vocation to holiness. Marching alongside these courageous young men filled me with the hope that our goals would be realized, not within many lifetimes, but very soon, perhaps within this very generation. While many are still ignorant of or indifferent to the evils of abortion, when our hearts are united in our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary’s most Immaculate Heart, no task seems daunting or impossible.
The Great Lady of Modern Times
Michael O’Hara, one of these intrepid volunteers, when interviewed by our staff, replied that Our Lady of Fatima spoke strongly to him and to our times. “Our Lady of Fatima is the great Lady of our modern times. She comes when the forces of evil are very much felt, especially the forces of communism and the attacks upon life.” Another student, Christopher Usher, spoke of Mary’s ever-relevant example: “The way that Mary said yes to Christ shows the way that we should say yes to every baby.”
Throughout the March, Our Lady was surrounded by an honor guard of priests, men and women religious, and the ordinary families who endured the cold temperatures and potential hostility of pro-abortion protestors in order to bear witness to the beauty of every life. The respect and devotion shown by the participants of the March towards the sacred icon in their midst was awe-inspiring. The Pilgrim Virgin was more than a symbol, she was our leader and captain.
Our co-founder John Haffert called for “an army on its knees with hearts open to the Heart of Mary.” The Blue Army of Prayer faced down the Red Army of Communism in firm hope and confidence of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. Today in 2025, we have demonstrated that, despite difficulties and setbacks, we are still faithful to our founding vision. We are an army on the march.
Matthew Scarince is a Communications Associate at the World Apostolate of Fatima/Our Lady’s Blue Army.
