Thousands rally for life in Austin at State Capitol

Wearing red hats, 195 parishioners from St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church march in the Texas Rally for Life in Austin on Jan 27. (courtesy photo)

AUSTIN — With the largest contingent from any one parish — 195 from Hempstead’s St. Katharine Drexel Parish — hundreds of Catholics from parishes around the Archdiocese made the trip to Austin for the Texas Rally for Life on Jan. 27.

Joining Father Xavier Bilavendiran, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel, parishioners from Christ the Good Shepherd in Spring, Prince of Peace, St. Mary Magdalene in Humble, St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, St. Clare of Assisi in Clear Lake, St. Faustina in Fulshear, St. Laurence in Sugar Land, Sts. Simon and Jude in The Woodlands, and others, went to Austin to advocate for life and mark the overturning of Roe v. Wade, passed 50 years ago, and echo a continued call to end abortion and support life.

Among the speakers at the Texas Rally for Life was Austin’s Bishop Joe S. Vásquez. Attendees also hosted a statewide diaper drive, collecting hundreds of boxes of diapers to support mothers and families in need.

The Austin Diocese hosted several Masses for Life that same day, offering Catholics a place to pray and worship before heading to the streets of downtown Austin and the Texas State Capitol.

Bishop Vásquez celebrated a bilingual Mass at San José Catholic Church, and Bishop Michael Sis of San Angelo celebrated a Mass at the University Catholic Center, while Bishop William Michael Mulvey of Corpus Christi celebrated a Mass at St. Louis King of France. Each Liturgy was preceded by a Rosary of Mercy and Healing.