By Charlotte A. Koestler
JACKSON – Catholic Charities’ Pro-Life Working Group has dedicated the diocesan high school students’ annual pilgrimage to the national March for Life to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, and in doing so simultaneously thanks her for sending her son, Bishop Kopacz, to the Jackson Diocese.
“It seems as if Our Lady of Guadalupe graciously reached out to our diocese as Bishop Kopacz was appointed to serve us on her feast day, December 12,” stated Barbara Mustain, working group member.  Bishop Kopacz’s deep devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe is prominently displayed as a red rose on his coat of arms. The red rose the symbol for the pro-life movement represents all stages of human development from conception until its fulfillment in eternity.
Blessed Mother’s miraculous image produced on Juan Diego’s tilma is abounding in symbolism. The bow on her dress and its high placement and the strategically placed four petal flower, indicate that the virgin is with child making Our Lady of Guadalupe the picture-perfect icon of the pro-life movement. It is interesting to note that Bishop Kopacz selected the Latin phrase Fiat Lux, or “Let there be light,” for his motto since the word, LUZ, Spanish for light, is seen in her garment.
“By this dedication, we are doubly blessed to be under the protection of our mother’s mantle and our bishop’s shield,” said Mustain.
The Catholic Charities Jackson Pro-Life Working Group organizes the annual diocesan high school pilgrimage to the national March for Life. All diocesan high school seniors and juniors are encouraged to go to jacksonmarchforlife.org to learn more about their participation in the 2015 pilgrimage.(Charlotte A. Koestler is a program specialist for parish based ministries for Catholic Charities)