“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I consecrated you.” (Jer1:5) These simple words now adorn a small monument titled ‘A Monument to the Unborn,” on the grounds of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville in Fayette County.

The monument, which recognizes unborn children who are victims of abortion, was dedicated near the entrance to the church after Mass on Memorial Day weekend. Father James Martell, pastor at St. Philip, chose the inscription from the Book of Jeremiah, which is one of his favorite Bible verses. Father Martell is a dedicated pro-life advocate. He stated that each person has dignity from the womb all the way to the tomb. “Since l was a seminarian ready to be ordained, I dedicated my priesthood to the pro-life effort of being a voice for the children who do not have a voice,” said Father Martell. “When I was asked by a parishioner about the idea of having a living monument for the victims of abortion, I jumped aboard. The living stone is at the entrance of our church and says that every child matters.”

Rob MacMain, a Fourth Degree Knight at St. Philip, said, “The fetus is a human being from the instant of conception and must be protected from that moment on.”

Sir Knights from Deacon Lee R. Hurst Assembly #2183 acted as Honor Guard for the Ceremony. Pictured above (l to r) are: SK Tom Mikulski, SK Bob Scaglione, SK Derrick Jones, SK Tim Woodard, SK David Crowder, SK Rob MacMain, Father Martell.