Cardinal Newman High School students traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for pro-life issues as part of Catholic Days at the Capitol from January 28th to January 30th. According to Campus Minister Ann Frearson, 17 students attended from the 9th, 11th, and 12th grades.

Students left St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral at 6:45am on January 28th, advocated for pro-life issues and attended the red mass on January 29th and returned to St. Ignatius at 8:00pm. Specifically, students advocated for parental consent prior to a minor’s abortion, the repeal of capital punishment in Florida, and opposed assisted suicide in Florida. Students met with both State Senators and Representatives.

Catholic Days at the Capitol is sponsored by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops. Following legislator appointments on the 29th, Crusaders attended the Red Mass. The Red Mass is a tradition dating back to 1300 that is continued by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops as to ask the holy spirit to guide and direct members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government.

Senior Jordan Neltner, a three year attendee of Catholic Days at the Capitol, enjoyed the event and specifically supported Senate Bill 938 and House Bill 6045 which called for the repeal of capital punishment in Florida.

“I supported the death penalty legislation because so many Americans are dying unjustly and something needs to be done. We cannot sit and watch American citizens be wrongly accused by our justice system.” 

All students seemed excited to for their faith and make a difference in their community.

“My biggest takeaway was the witness of the participants to their faith. They took their beliefs and put them into action by trying to bring changes to our state that promote a culture of life which respects the dignity of every human being,” said Ms. Frearson.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is preparing for the 2021 Catholic Days at the Capitol which is slated for the 23rd and 24th of March.