In the Trenton Diocese, Respect Life Month got off to a rousing start as scores of faithful lined sections of major highways in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in Life Chains, Oct. 6.

Honking horns and thumbs up signals from passing motorists rewarded participants at both events which drew approximately 100 people of all ages to each location.

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Life Chains is an annual interfaith event during which pro-life supporters line roadways holding signs that call for an end to abortion and uphold­ing the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

Along Route 9 in Howell Township, members of the St. Veronica Parish Respect Life Committee and parishioners were joined by members of several area parishes, for the 21st observance of the event, including St. Catharine, Seaside Park; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights; St. Thomas More, Manalapan; Epiphany, Brick, and St. William the Abbot, Howell. Organizers Hubert and Joan Mador said the turnout, which included many families and a number of young people fulfilling Confirmation service, was very good. Included among the later, was the couple’s granddaughter, Lauren, 13, who said she was happy to be present at the event. “Life from conception to natural death is a God given right,” she said, adding that she attended the Life Chain last year, too. In Toms River, people held signs on both sides of Route 37 near American Women’s Services for the first time. Previously, the group, whose members are from Respect Life groups from several Toms River area parishes, held their life chains in a less trafficked area of Route 70, said Mario Minervini, one of the organizers.

“Everyone was very happy to be there … we were there for a very good reason: that life is precious,” he said.