The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is hosting its 12th annual OneLife LA event on Saturday, January 24, starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The event focuses on life and family issues, including advocating for the protection of the unborn. Activities include speakers and performers, a Walk for Life at 3 p.m., and a Requiem Mass for the unborn celebrated by Archbishop José Gómez at 5 p.m. Speakers include Archbishop Gómez, Bishop Mark Seitz, and advocates like Nora Yesenia and Daniela Verástegui. Ken Rose of the Knights of Columbus will receive a $10,000 grant to be distributed to 20 local pregnancy centers.
about 2 months ago
The 12th annual OneLife LA event occurs on January 24, 2026, starting at 1:30 p.m. in the plaza of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.1 2
It features speakers and performers from 2 p.m., a Walk for Life at 3 p.m., and a Requiem Mass for the unborn at 5 p.m., led by Archbishop José Gómez.1 2
The event emphasizes life, family, and faith issues, particularly protecting the unborn, with free attendance but online registration encouraged at www.onelifela.org.1 2
Archbishop Gómez will preside over the Mass and speak, stating: “Every life is precious and must be loved and protected, from conception until natural death.”1 2
Auxiliary bishops from the archdiocese's five pastoral regions and neighboring dioceses typically attend.1 2
Key speakers include Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, pro-life advocate Nora Yesenia, Sofía Alatorre González sharing her story of a childhood accident, Father Matt Wheeler, family speaker Daniela Verástegui, and Knights of Columbus representative Ken Rose.1 2
Performers feature worship leader Francis Cabildo and singer Miriam Solis from Guadalajara.1 2
A companion Holy Hour is set for January 23 at Christ the King Parish.1 2
Ken Rose will accept a $10,000 Dr. Tirso del Junco grant for the Knights of Columbus, distributed to 20 local pregnancy centers with matching funds.1 2
Isaac Cuevas from the Office of Life, Justice, and Peace praised the Knights for exemplifying faith-based service.1 2
Participating groups include 40 Days for Life, NET Ministries, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, Order of Malta, and others.1 2
Past events drew over 5,000 participants, with hopes for strong turnout in 2026 despite prior hurdles.1 2
In 2024, heavy rain disrupted activities; in 2025, wildfires forced an indoor cathedral event with fire victim testimonials and a rescued tabernacle display.1 2
The 2026 forecast predicts partly cloudy skies, mild temperatures, and no rain.1 2
Large youth participation, including teens and young adults, has been a highlight, seen as "refreshing" and vital for the future.1 2
Repeat participants like Ann Sanders and Tim Shannon of the Order of Malta emphasize unity among like-minded individuals supporting life-affirming work.1 2
Knights attend in regalia, providing aid like water, sunscreen, and rest areas for those in need.1 2
OneLife LA joins California pro-life walks, including San Francisco's Walk for Life West Coast (Archbishop Cordileone), San Diego's event (Bishop Pham), Oakland's Standing Up 4Life, and Sacramento's March for Life on March 16.1 2
It aligns with the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., on January 23.1 2
Assess Catholic teachings on life, family, and public advocacy
Catholic teaching unequivocally affirms the sacredness and inviolability of human life as a divine gift, rooted in God's creative action and culminating in eternal communion with Him. The family stands as the foundational cell of society, entrusted with the transmission of life, education of children, and the practice of love, while the Church calls the faithful to active public advocacy for justice, peace, and the common good, denouncing sin and promoting human dignity without usurping political roles.
At the heart of Catholic doctrine lies the profound truth that human life is sacred because "from its beginning it involves the creative action of God, and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end." God alone is the Lord of life "from its beginning until its end: no one can, in any circumstance, claim for himself the right to destroy directly an innocent human being." This principle echoes the divine commandment "You shall not kill" (Ex 20:13), enshrined in the Decalogue and the covenant with humanity, as seen post-Flood in Genesis 9:5-6, where God demands an accounting for human life.
Life's value derives from humanity's creation in God's image (Gen 1:26-28), rendering it inviolable and reflecting the Creator's own inviolability. This sacredness is not merely biological but oriented toward eternal life, as proclaimed in Christ, the "Word of life" (1 Jn 1:2). In Jesus, eternal life is given, exalting earthly existence and directing it to fellowship with God: "the life of man consists in the vision of God." Even amid life's uncertainties—poverty, rejection, and death—Jesus affirms its splendor, commending His spirit to the Father on the Cross (Lk 23:46), revealing life as the instrument of salvation.
The conscience bears witness to this inviolability, as God questions Cain: "What have you done?" (Gen 4:10), reminding every person that life belongs to God. This truth demands reverence and love for every human life, countering sin, violence, and death introduced by Satan.
The family is the "domestic church," a communion of persons mirroring the Trinity, with rights essential to its mission. Pope John Paul II, in Familiaris Consortio, enumerates these as the right to exist and progress, to transmit life responsibly, to conjugal intimacy, to marital stability, to faith education of children, to security (especially for the poor and sick), to suitable housing, to representation before authorities, to associations, to protect minors from harms like drugs and pornography, to wholesome recreation, and for the elderly to a worthy life and death.
This vision aligns with Amoris Laetitia, which looks to Jesus' merciful gaze on families, calling the Church to accompany them in proclaiming the Kingdom's demands. Pastoral guidelines emphasize renewing missionary proclamation of mercy while upholding marriage's indissolubility, aiding those with imperfect grasps of teaching toward fuller integration, always respecting objective moral truth discerned in conscience. The John Paul II Institute underscores this comprehensive theology, linking family to Christology, anthropology, and the New Evangelization.
Catholic health care reinforces responsible parenthood, rejecting contraception while promoting natural family planning instruction. The family thus fosters virtues, defends life, and builds society through justice and love.
The Church's social doctrine compels engagement in public life to protect human dignity, rights, and peace. It proclaims a holistic view of the person, offering criteria for judgment and action, while denouncing injustice and violence, especially against the poor. This forms consciences for political responsibility, urging Catholics to evaluate policies, platforms, and candidates per Gospel and social teaching, prioritizing life's sacredness, family, and the common good.
Fratelli Tutti calls for fraternal love transcending barriers, respecting others' views in dialogue for truth and progress. The Church cannot remain sidelined, reawakening spiritual energy for humanity's advancement and fraternity, acting as a "home with open doors" without partisan politics. Forgiveness demands justice: loving oppressors means defending rights and halting wrongdoing, preserving God-given dignity. Formation in social doctrine is indispensable for lay apostolate.
Catholic teachings interweave life's sacredness, family's vocation, and bold public advocacy into a seamless Gospel imperative: reverence every life as God's gift , build families as society's charter, and advocate tirelessly for justice . This demands formed consciences, merciful accompaniment , and dialogue, fostering a civilization of love amid contemporary challenges.