Representing the long black line of New York’s finest, seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie defended the sanctity of life by reciting the Rosary and dutifully demonstrating on behalf of aborted babies at the 39th annual March for Life Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C.

And their rector, Auxiliary Bishop Gerald T. Walsh, as well as numerous priests of the archdiocese, were with them every step of the way.

“The Catholic Church is not just a large component of the pro-life movement—in many ways, it is the pro-life movement,” said Sean Connolly, a first-year seminarian at St. Joseph’s who is from St. Augustine parish in Ossining.

As he and his seminarian confreres marched near the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court buildings on the National Mall, Connolly surmised that one day, Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Jan. 22, 1973 that legalized abortion across the country, would be overturned.

“We’re optimistic because we have the winning argument,” said Connolly, 23.

He is convinced that when “most people hear the argument and hear the teachings of the Church, they will have the decency to recognize that life begins at conception and it must be protected.”

James Sheridan, 32, a native of Dublin, Ireland, is in his second year at Cathedral Seminary Residence at Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens. He said he was delighted at the devotion of so many pro-life advocates in one place. “It’s wonderful to see the unity of the Church under the banner of life.

“But, we have to remember it’s a spiritual battle─it’s not a political battle,” Sheridan said. “And it’s going to involve the conversion of hearts, one by one.”

Sheridan also cited two steadfast, saving graces to help the cause: “Prayer and penance─ that’s the most important thing.”

Matthew Reiman, 24, a first-year seminarian at St. Joseph’s who comes from St. John the Evangelist parish in Mahopac, said he was awed that so many people took time out from work and school to peacefully demonstrate that “all human life is valuable, that all human beings have dignity.”