While in-person commemorations of the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade — the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion — were curtailed this year due to COVID, 75 people assembled Friday, Jan. 22, outside the Planned Parenthood facility on Newton Road in Virginia Beach to protest abortions and to pray for the unborn and their mothers.
The gathering drew participants from St. Benedict Parish, Hope 4 Life and the Knights of Columbus, along with others not affiliated with any particular church or organization. The group prayed the Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the rosary.
During the event, Hope 4 Life noted that, due to its mobile ultrasound units, it has saved 730 babies at three local clinics since 2015 — the first year it provided the mobile service.
Knights of Columbus councils represented at the protest/prayer service included Father Habets 4632, San Lorenzo 12378, Immaculate Conception 16226, St. Matthew 10601 and St. Benedict 9056.