On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, San Francisco hosted the annual West Coast Walk for Life. The event gathered thousands of people to affirm the sanctity of life. Five seminarians of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, who attend St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California participated in this important event.
The day began with a beautiful Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, celebrated by Most Rev. Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco. Our seminarians—Michael Crowell, Ramón Camacho, Jacob McDougall, Erik Morris, and Zach Muñoz—assisted in the liturgy and participated in the choir. The Mass was a profound witness to the Church’s unwavering commitment to the dignity of every human life.
In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone intertwined the themes of conversion, the sanctity of life, and the call for justice in a world so often indifferent to truth. He pointed to the dramatic conversion of St. Paul as a model for the faithful, urging them to persevere in their mission, even in the face of persecution, grounded in the light of Christ. “It is worth it,” he said, “because only those who have encountered the light can be agents of change, bringing Christ’s peace and healing into the world.” He reminded the faithful that they nurture true discipleship through faith, prayer, and good works.
After Mass, our seminarians had the opportunity to meet with various friends of the Seminary, including Mr. and Mrs. Rick and Lili Echevarria, the parents of Fr. Justin Echevarria, and Ms. Mary Herrle, a member of the Serra Club of Salem-Keizer. These moments of fellowship were a reminder of the broader community united in the defense of life. The Walk for Life itself was a profound testament to the pro-life cause, with stirring addresses from Ryan Bomberger, Sister Deirdre Byrne, Reverend Clenard Childress, and Kelly Lester. Each speaker, in their own way, challenged the crowd to continue speaking out for life. Kelly Lester’s call to action was incredibly moving, emphasizing that men especially have a pivotal role in defending the unborn, urging all to raise their voices in support of life.
Following the speeches, our seminarians joined the thousands of participants in the walk, processing from Civic Center Plaza down Market Street to Embarcadero Plaza. The march was a visible sign of solidarity and a public declaration of the pro-life message. The day ended with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. For the seminarians, it reminded them of their vocation: to serve, defend, and advocate for life at every stage. As Mr. Camacho reflected, “Christ is truly the Light of the World. As we marched, we encountered opposition, and we were reminded that the fight for life continues. All life is sacred, from conception to natural death.” The walk was both a reflection on the dignity of human life and a reaffirmation of the commitment to defend it.
