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| OLSWA Participates at March For Life |
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On Thursday, May 14, dozens of Academy faculty, staff, students, and alumni trekked down to Ottawa to take part in the 9th Annual March for Life activities on Parliament Hill. Proudly flanking the OLSWA banner in their school hoodies, the Academy delegation marched the streets of downtown Ottawa in unison with family and friends, despite coming from their various hometowns and provinces, as students have returned home for the summer. 
Academy Students and Alumni on the March with Marc Cardinal Ouellet
Standing faithful to the motto “Veritas Vos Liberabit” (The Truth Will Set You Free), the Academy has staunchly defended life issues, imbuing her students with a sense of responsibility in fighting the culture war for the cause of truth. As such, the March for Life has become a regular, yet informal Academy reunion over the years.
“The presence of so many people, the majority being young, makes a hopeful and significant statement about the future of our society, and the pursuit of a true culture of life,” said Cassie Farrell, president of the Paul Sanders and Janine Lieu Pro-Life Club at OLSWA. “As the Academy grows, it is important that it be in touch with the Canadian pro-life movement, since we are all working towards the same end.”  displaysisters2.jpg
This year’s event, entitled Exodus 2009: A Future without Abortion, marked 40 years since the legalization of abortion in Canada. Despite the dark clouds and pouring rain, a record-breaking 12,000 people took part in the activities. The day began with several prayer services, including filled-to-capacity Masses at Notre Dame Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Basilica. At least 11 bishops were in attendance at the Masses and subsequent activities, including our own Ordinary, Bishop Michael Mulhall, Archbishops Terence Prendergast SJ of Ottawa and Thomas Collins of Toronto, members of our Episcopal Board of Advisors, and Marc Cardinal Ouellet of Quebec City, an Academy friend and supporter. This year’s event once again featured internationally-renowned Christian musician David McDonald, as well as moving testimonies from members of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign. 
Supreme Knight and Keynote Speaker Carl Anderson with OLSWA Students John Espadero and Jenna Henry
“The entire day was great,” said OLSWA alumna Julia Carvalho. “The fact that there were so many people there, in spite of the terrible weather forecast for the day speaks for itself.”
On that same evening, several of the Academy contingency and their families attended the Rose Dinner, a pro-life fundraising banquet put on by Campaign Life Coalition. A moving key-note address was given by Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Anderson was able to visit the Academy display, and offered his encouragement for the Academy’s mission. Other Academy students and alumni remained in Ottawa for the pro-life youth conference on Friday, also put on by Campaign Life Coalition.
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