Top photo caption: Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., processes into St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Oct. 8 for the New Jersey bishops’ third annual Mass for Life. Bishops, priests and faithful from across the state gathered for the Mass, which preceded the New Jersey March for Life. Mike Ehrmann photos.
By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor
“The death of God’s Son, the blood of Jesus, that’s how much we’re worth. Every single person, every life.”
Those words from Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, D.D., auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, in his homily for the New Jersey Bishops’ third annual Mass for Life, rang through a filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton.
PHOTO GALLERY: NJ Bishops’ Mass for Life
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 NJ March and Rally for Life
“Look at the crucifix,” he said, pausing at length as the congregation waited in silence. “That’s the price of every human person. … Every person is someone for whom Christ died.”
People from around the state gathered at the cathedral for the New Jersey bishops’ third annual Mass for Life. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was joined by bishops and priests from all the state’s dioceses, who gathered for prayer before the rally and march that followed.
Resolute and Representing
“It was important to have our presence felt here,” said Ellen Conaghan, member of St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, attending for the third year with fellow parishioners. “I just enjoy being with all these young people – they have certainly taken over [the cause].”
When asked why it was important to continue defending life after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision that removed the right to abortion at the federal level, Conaghan replied: “Our job is to change hearts and minds – by prayer, by showing up. It’s a witness. This is what we stand for.”
Keith Sturzione, a member of Knights of Columbus Council 816, said he feels responsible to God for what he defends, including the unborn.
“We all answer to God; God sees everything,” he said. “The more people focus on God first, everything else will follow.”
St. Peter parishioner Dorothy O’Reilly said she wanted her presence at the Mass and march to reflect a disagreement with legislators who advocate for abortion.
“It’s important that they get the message that this is wrong,” she said. “We want to make changes in our government and wake people up. We want pro-life candidates in office. We would like to see everyone realize the value of life.”
‘Let Us Not Lose Heart’
Bishop Chau quoted Pope Leo XIV on his recent trip to Lourdes, when the Pope spoke to young people who asked about society’s growing indifference to God.
“The fact that many are indifferent to the question of God is indeed a problem, but so too is the fact that many are indifferent to the question of humanity,”
Bishop Chau urged people to ask themselves: “Do we recognize the dignity of every person – including those whose needs interrupt our plans or whose circumstances make us uncomfortable?”
Dignity, he said, is inherent to being human – and as such, every human life deserves to be protected and valued.
“All attacks against human life – deletion, abortion, elder mistreatment, child abuse, human trafficking, the mistreatment of immigrants, the death penalty – violate human dignity,” he said.
“We may wonder whether our prayers, our public witness make any difference,” he continued. In the defense of life, Bishop Chau noted, God continues to call people to witness in spite of doubts.
“You continue to do what you do and let the Lord do what he needs to do,” he said. “The Lord answers Isaiah, ‘I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’
“Let us not lose heart. God asks us to keep bringing his light into the places where hope is fading.”
Pro-Life Present and Future
Students also filled the pews, wearing Catholic school uniforms and pro-life club shirts.
Nadia Cahill, junior in Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, said, “Every life’s important, no matter whose life it is, because it’s a gift from God.”
Freshman Melanie Alloran, member of the Celebrate Life Club at Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, said it is important to witness publicly because “it raises awareness to other people to see just how strongly we feel about it.”
“God put us on this earth for His path … for a reason,” said Olivia Iacono, sophomore in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel. “Everybody should be given a chance at life, just like how God gives everybody a chance in his grace.”
