The March for Life is scheduled to take place virtually on Friday, January 29th. It occurs every year near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade as a peaceful protest to the Supreme Court’s 1973 ruling, which mandated legal abortion nationwide.

This year, due to the pandemic, our diocesan youth groups will not be attending. But there are many pro-life events available to us online and on the EWTN network. 

They kick-off with The National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday evening, January 28th. (8-11 pm., EWTN). The program begins with the National Rosary for Life, followed by the Opening Mass at 8:30 pm.. Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will be the celebrant. At 10 pm. there will be a Holy Hour for Life. Across town in Arlington, Virginia, the Life is Very Good Mass and Rally will be live-streamed at 7:30 pm.. Free registration is available on their website.

Friday at 8 a.m., another Mass will be offered at the Basilica by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore (EWTN). Additionally, the Youth Rally and Mass for Life in downtown Washington that normally hosts more than 20,000 young people, religious sisters, and seminarians will also be virtual this year.  The rally at 8:30 am. is certain to wake up our youth with very energetic praise and worship musicians and dynamic speakers. At 10 a.m., a beautiful Mass for Life begins with bishops, cardinals and the Papal Nuncio delivering an encouraging message from the Holy Father. These rallies perform a wonderful service, encouraging our young people in their witnesses as disciples of Christ and promoters of the Gospel of Life. To register and find more information visit YouthRallyandMassforLife.org (May be broadcast by EWTN).

The live stream for The March for Life takes place at 11 am. Friday, January 29. It begins with a performance by Christian singer and songwriter Matthew West. Around noon, national pro-life representatives will speak from the National Mall, immediately followed by this small group peacefully advocating for life by marching up Constitution Avenue, passing by the Capitol and continuing on to the U.S. Supreme Court. The March for Life can be watched live on EWTN (8 am. - 4 pm.), or on our computers and phones at https://MarchForLife.org/2021-virtual-events/

This year, as so much continues to be challenging in many ways, let us join together in prayer, that we as a nation may stop wandering in the wilderness of the culture of death and enter into “life in abundance” (John 10:10) holding onto our faith, that we have Jesus Christ on our side.

By Father Brian Maxwell