In a ceremony held at the Newman Center in Orono at the conclusion of Respect Life Month, which is October, the Diocese of Portland presented three individuals and a couple with Respect Life Awards for their work in promoting the dignity of human life.

Winning the youth award was Lexi Hikel, age 16, from St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor. Hikel faithfully participates in 40 Days for Life vigils and has fervently advocated for the need to respect life at every stage.

“My honest reaction is that I don’t deserve this because, honestly, none of this is me. Everything I do, the courage I have, I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without God,” says Hikel, reacting to the award.

The young adult winner of the award was Ryan Young, a University of Maine at Orono student who is president of the Students for Life chapter on campus.

“What we want to do in the pro-life movement is just instill that compassion for others, like recognizing other people as persons, not dehumanizing them,” says Young, who credited fellow student Grace Clark for helping to start the group. “We stand for all people, all walks of life equally. We show that in our interactions with tabling, but I think we show that even more by what we want to focus on this semester, which is fundraising for local pregnancy centers, getting flyers on campus for local pregnancy centers.”

Honored in the adult category was Ruth Rogers from St. Paul the Apostle Parish. Rogers has worked in leadership roles for 40 Days for Life and helped to start a Walking with Moms in Need support group at the parish.

“Nothing I’ve done in the pro-life movement has been done alone. Through the grace of God, I have managed to surround myself with people who have more passion, more faith, and more joy, and I relish every opportunity to be with them – whether we’re addressing the injustice and tragedy of abortion through 40 Days for Life, or helping women find resources during an unexpected pregnancy through Walking With Moms in Need,” says Rogers. “Everything I’ve participated in has been a team effort. I’m grateful to God for the talents He’s given me to provide behind-the-scenes support for pro-life programs.”

Although they were unable to attend the awards ceremony, also honored were Charles and Courtney Bougie, the Knights of Columbus pro-life couple from Maine. In announcing the award, Suzanne Lafreniere, the diocese’s pro-life liaison, noted the contributions of the Knights to the pro-life movement, which includes the donation of ultrasound equipment to pregnancy support centers.

“This pro-life movement in Maine would not be what it is without the Knights of Columbus,” she said.

The presentation of the Respect Life Awards followed a Respect Life Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Wisdom Church by Bishop James Ruggieri. 

During the Mass, the bishop said the Spirit Himself is at work through those who pray and work to build a culture of life.

“The work of defending the unborn, accompanying mothers and fathers, comforting the dying, welcoming the refugee, and cherishing every human being is not something we accomplish by our own strength,” he said. “It is the Spirit of God who sustains, inspires, and carries this mission forward.”

At the conclusion of the Mass, the faithful joined the bishop in a eucharistic procession that encircled part of the University of Maine campus.