STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—“This monument is erected to the memory of those innocents who have died unjustly, whose lives were taken from them while they grew in the womb.”

On Sunday, January 22, about 150 students, religious, and community members participated in the rededication of the Tomb of the Unborn Child at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Following the 12:30 p.m. Mass in Christ the King Chapel, Father Shawn Roberson, TOR, University chaplain, led the procession to the tomb where the first two aborted babies, Francis and Clare, were interred on January 22, 1987. Since then, five more aborted babies—Agnes, Jeremiah, Michael, Andrew, and Joseph—whose bodies were given to Franciscan University for proper burial, have been entombed there.

As he stood beside the tomb, Father Roberson said the monument was erected not only to remember the innocent victims of abortion, but also to remind us of our own selfishness and to remind us to do penance for our sins and “those of the whole world.”

Father Roberson traced the history, influence, and importance of the tomb for the pro-life movement and remembered Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, who was instrumental in establishing the tomb during his tenure as president of the University. Cardinal John O’Connor of New York was so deeply impressed when he visited the tomb in 1992 that he urged the Knights of Columbus to replicate the tomb across the nation. Today there are more than 1,835 monuments at parishes, Catholic cemeteries, and other locations across the United States and around the world.

“This tomb is a memorial of the truth,” said Father Roberson. “We recognize that we are still involved in this pro-life movement. . . . This powerful emblem stands for where the heart of the University is on this very day. . . . and we honor those who know that the fight is still going on and say that the Lord will triumph in the gift of love.”

Father Roberson then stood with his hands over the tomb and prayed for aborted children, the repentance of their parents, and that the whole world, especially all doctors and health care providers, come to respect life.

To close the ceremony, Father Roberson prayed the Our Father and invited everyone to sing “Immaculate Mary.”

Maggie Giroux, president of Students for Life at Franciscan, said that the tomb is a powerful testament to the pro-life movement.

“It’s not just a symbol, but an actual tomb for these unborn babies,” said Giroux. “It is incredible that we can honor them in a special way, and it is a beautiful place to pray for the unborn and any women considering abortion.”

John Dyson, vice president of Students for Life at Franciscan, said that the tomb is “a constant visual reminder that there is real life in the womb that goes straight into the tomb.”

Every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m., Students for Life and other Franciscan students  pray a Rosary at The Tomb of the Unborn Child for any women considering abortion to choose life and for the pro-life movement.