On January 27, 2017, thousands of Americans will gather in Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life to mark the 44th anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that has led to the deaths of approximately 60 million pre-born infants.
It is relatively easy to predict what will happen at the March. Although the crowd will be enormous, the mainstream media will pretend that it never happened. Should the weather be unsuitable for man or beast, thousands of pro-lifers will be undaunted and march anyway because the cause is so important. And when the March is over, the grounds of the Mall and the streets in the vicinity will not be littered because pro-lifers are polite and respectful.
In addition, there will be some pro-death protesters in attendance. Many will shout vile insults, and they will carry a variety of signs expressing their undying support for baby killing. One ubiquitous sign will read, “Keep Your Rosaries Off My Ovaries.” I am reminded of the classic line in the movie The Shop Around the Corner, wherein the female lead insults the male lead by comparing his intellect to a “cigaret lighter that doesn’t work.” He is clearly upset by her words but calmly replies, “Well, that’s very nicely put. Yes, that’s a very interesting mixture of poetry and meanness.” Like a poem, the pro-death sign does rhyme, but, in truth, it’s more than mean; it is an egregious calumny for several reasons.
First, the message is specifically directed toward the Catholic Church. After all, pro-life Protestants do not pray the rosary. The focus on the Church is not just an accident for the sake of finding a “clever” little slogan. Those who support mass murder in the womb know that the foundation and driving force behind the pro-life movement is the Catholic Church. Destroy the Church’s stand on the inviolability of the right to life of the unborn, and the pro-life cause will be so severely wounded that its recovery will be doubtful.
Also, by referring to a rosary, abortion supporters want to make the issue appear to be an attempt by religious zealots to force their radical dogmas upon others who do not share the same theological beliefs. Thus, you will often hear pro-death leaders attempt to make a connection between the Church’s stand against abortion with the Inquisition, “forced” contraception for all, and other mythical Church abuses. They will also accuse the Church of trying to destroy the First Amendment right of freedom of religion, even though they unashamedly ignore the right to life enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. Pro-aborts know that if they can successfully conjure up a picture of old, white prelates leering through bedroom windows, then their cause will be greatly benefited.
Another despicable aspect of the rosaries/ovaries slogan is that it is a direct attack upon the Blessed Mother. Numerous graces abound with the dedicated recitation of the rosary, and the forces of darkness are afraid of its power. Over the years, thousands of women have been moved by a rosary said outside an abortion clinic and have changed their minds about destroying their babies. Perhaps the change of heart occurred when they heard the phrase “blessed is the fruit of thy womb” and realized that the fruit of their womb was a child like the baby Jesus. The last thing the pro-death crowd wants is such a powerful prayer to touch the hearts of their “clients.”
Similarly, the rosary is a prayer to Mary, the Mother of God. Because she is the mother of God, she is hated by abortion supporters. She is a constant reminder of the reality of God and his laws. The Catechism makes this clear: “God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.” Whether they want to admit it or not, the merchants of death despise the notion of a God who rules over the affairs of men.
Furthermore, Mary’s eternal virginity is a sign of contradiction to a culture that applauds sexual license, regardless of the extent of the perversion. Starting at a very young age, girls are given the pervasive message that virginity is old-fashioned, unrealistic, and socially unacceptable. Sex has no meaning beyond momentary pleasure. And should a sexual encounter result in pregnancy, then, well, that’s why there is abortion on demand. But Mary’s virginal consecration to God is a different message. She urges women (and men) to see the dignity of their bodies and the beauty of their sexuality, which can only be fully developed through a life of faith and chastity. Women who embrace virginity as a beautiful gift do not get abortions, and a sudden, massive increase of virginal women would be a disaster for the culture of death. Thus, Mary’s virginity must be mocked.
Those of us who are pro-life must not be naive. The culture of death hates the Catholic Church and everything is stands for. And the next time you see their despicable little rosaries/ovaries sign understand that they also hate you.
