The March for Life in Washington D.C. began as a grassroots response of pro-lifers nationwide to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion throughout the 9 months of a woman's pregnancy. Each year, inspired by the Holy Spirit’s gift of Reverence, Catholics and all people of good will come together to pray and publicly intercede on behalf of the unborn, their parents, families, our communities, our nation and its leaders - that this prayerful presence may open hearts, minds, souls to the fullness of the Gospel of Life in our lives and laws.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has declared that in all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22nd shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.

The Mass "For Peace and Justice" (no. 22 of the "Masses for Various Needs") should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373)

Today the priest has a choice between several different readings. He may preach on the Readings of the Day, or one of the sets of readings from the Mass for Peace and Justice.

It has truly evolved into a Pilgrimage of intercessory prayer and public witness for all those victimized by the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion; and for the conversion of those who misguidedly perpetuate it. Young and old from all walks of life and from every part of the country rally together and march down Constitution Ave., stopping at legislative offices along route and ending at the steps of the Supreme Court.

Over the years, several additional pro-life conferences, pro-life vigils, and Masses have come to surround the main event of the March itself in DC., spread throughout the days preceding the actual March, including special events for youth, young adults, and college students.

Events Surrounding the March for Life, Washington DC January 22, 2010

(click here to print these events)

Thursday January 21, 2010

• White House Mini-Rally - This is a first-time very important (flash-light) program event.
  Thursday, January 21, 2010, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  Lafayette Park (16th & Pennsylvania Ave, NW)
  Because the March for Life tomorrow is on the Mall at a long distance from the White House, it is necessary to bring the Life Principles to the President of the United States as a Part of the 37th annual March for Life. We have a permit for 3,000 marchers to Rally on Thursday evening at 6:00-8:00pm in Lafayette Park, north of the White House.
  The program will be prayer, song, and explanation of the
  theme of the March for Life and Life Principles.
  We are pleased to have a 27 student choir from Liberty University.
  Speakers include: Pastor Luke Robinson, Nellie Gray, and more.
  Please bring a small flash-light. No candles please.
   
• 11th Annual Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life - Georgetown University.
  Georgetown University Right to Life, the Georgetown University Knights of Columbus, and University Faculty for Life.  Speakers: Margaret Colin, Robert George; co-speaker: Serrin Foster.  For info http://www.cardinaloconnorconference.com/
   
• Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance (12:00pm-3pm)
  Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Crypt Church.
  400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. 
  Sisters of Life and Lumina Hope and Healing After Abortion www.postabortionhelp.org
   
• National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass (6:30 pm) – Main Celebrant Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities
  Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
  400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, D.C.
  www.usccb.org/prolife/prayervigil/schedule.shtml

   

• Adoration throughout the night – The Crypt Church (lower level of Basilica)
  Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Crypt Church.
  400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. 
  10:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. Confessions,
  10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. National Rosary for Life,
  11:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. Night Prayer (Byzantine Rite), 
  12 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Holy Hours for Life - Pro-life seminarians from across the country

Friday January 22, 2010

• Mass with Archbishop Dolan and New York Pilgrims in Bethesda, MD (10:30 am)
  The Church of the Little Flower (just 7 miles from the National Mall)
  5607 Massachusetts Avenue
  Bethesda, Maryland 20816
  Archbishop Dolan will be celebrating Mass for any NY pilgrims who can attend.  The Mass site is being hosted and run by the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
  *If you wish to attend, please contact sr.lucy.marie@archny.org so that we can alert the parish of how many will be attending.

   
• National Day of Prayer and Penance for Life
  Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Crypt Church.
  400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. 
  6:30 am Morning Prayer and Benediction (The Crypt Church)
  7:30 am Concelebrated Eucharistic Liturgy – (The Great Upper Church)- Principal Celebrant & Homilist: Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
   
• Rally for Life & Youth Mass  - !New! Tickets Required- NO Tickets Available!!!
  Verizon Center – 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC (between 7th & 6th Streets) Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station  
  7:00 am - doors open
  7:30 Rally featuring popular Catholic recording artists: Steve Angrisano, Matt Maher and Band, and Jessie Manibusan.  
  8:00 am - 9:30 am- Confessions.  
  9:30. - Rosary
  10:00 - 11:30 am - Mass.  Priests, bishops and cardinals from across the USA will celebrate the Youth Masses.
  Info: http://www.adw.org/service/jan22.asp
  !New! 6 overflow sites! Tickets are no longer available for the Verizon Center.  You can attend mass at one of these 6 nearby churches.  http://www.adw.org/service/pdf/jan22_2010map.pdf
   
• 37th Annual March for Life - this year's theme: "Stand Up Now - Unite for the Life Principles! No Exception! No Compromise!" Begins at noon with a rally on the Mall (and 7th St.) followed by a march to Capital Hill and the Supreme Court. Please be in the Mall at least by 11:30 am. Make an appointment to visit your Senators & Representative. Info on March and related events: 202-LIFE-377 or www.marchforlife.org
   
• Silent No More: Silent No More Awareness Campaign members will share their testimonies on the steps of the Supreme Court immediately following the March for Life.  The National Silent No More Awareness Campaign is an effort to make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women, men, and their families.  You must be pre-registered to share your testimony.  For more information www.silentnomoreawareness.org 
   

Saturday January 23rd, 2010

• Students for Life of America National Conference - High School juniors and seniors welcome. 
  Pryzbyla Center, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC–
  For more information and to register go to: http://www.studentsforlife.org/index.php/conferences
  The Students for Life of America National Conference in January is an event that no pro-life student should miss. Many of our attendees return yearly. Last year, 800 students from 100+ universities attended. It is a day full of education, training, and networking with fellow college students and national pro-life leaders who care to make a difference on their college and university campuses by proclaiming the pro-life message. This is the premiere pro-life conference of the year!

Make the March For Life Pilgrimage via Bus
 

• Click here to view a listing of buses (including contact information)  that are leaving from Parishes in the Archdiocese of New York. 
   
• The buses leaving from NYC from St. Malachy's Church – are completely filled.  There seats on a bus leaving NYC from St. Emeric, please call Vicky at 718-909-8907 for info. 

• If you would like to sponsor a bus yourself and would like information on how to do so you may contact the Respect life Office or any bus captain on the list.

• Helpful hints for promoting and participating in the March for Life.
   
• To advertise and promote the March for Life use this flyer.
   
• Sample Bulletin Announcements designed for the March for Life.
   
• Can't make the trip to DC? here are ideas on how to locally witness in your parish or community to the sacredness of human life on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

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Sr. Lucy Marie, S.V.
Respect Life Coordinator
 sr.lucy.marie@archny.org
646.794.3192