The special event in Santa Fe began with a Mass at the Basilica/ Cathedral on the evening of January 21st followed by an XLT praise and worship event led by the St. Thomas Aquinas band. Fr. Stephen Imbarrato gave a rousing homily on the significance of the event. The Archbishop and members of the clergy led the XLT attendees, many youth from different parishes around the state, to the chapel for all night Eucharistic adoration.

The next morning Fr. Joe Blonski led the participants in morning prayer and benediction followed by a pro-life conference at the old school gymnasium. There were a number of pro-life groups and ministries participating with table exhibits and, Allen Sanchez, legislative lobbyist for the bishops, Dauneen Dulce of RTLNM, and Fr. Enrique Lopez from Las Cruces gave talks at the morning conference.

During the conference a group of priests and young Catholics picketed a local Santa Fe abortionist’s office nearby. Noon Mass at the Basilica was followed by a well attended procession led by the Archbishop and priests from the Basilica to the state capitol. The day’s events ended when the large group from the Basilica gathered in front of the state house. With the state legislature in session, Archbishop Sheehan and many participants in the procession visited the offices of the legislators and the legislative chamber to speak against the pending embryonic stem cell research bill which was defeated in February.
By Phil Sevilla