A group of high school students from across the archdiocese will travel to Washington, D.C., for the National Rally and March for Life being held on Jan. 25.
A total of 140 participants — students and chaperones — will depart from the Cathedral of St. Paul Jan. 22 after a 7 p.m. Mass with Bishop Lee Piché. They will return Jan. 27.
“We are going to D.C. because we love the moms who find themselves pregnant in a difficult situation and don’t want to abort but feel like they have no choice,” said Bill Dill, marriage preparation and youth ministry events coordinator for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “We love the babies who long to live but have no voice.
“We go because we love our country and know that the abortion virus must be eradicated for the body and soul of our country to be healthy.”
While in the nation’s capital, the group will visit the Holocaust Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, and tour the Capitol.
A Mass will be celebrated Jan. 25 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception followed by the rally and march beginning at the National Mall and ending at the U.S. Supreme Court Building.
Participants will attend the Students for Life of America National Conference in Bethesda, Md., on Jan. 26.
The one-day event will provide education, training and opportunities to network with other students and national pro-life leaders.
Local pro-life events
For those wishing to stand up for life during the upcoming anniversary of Roe v.?Wade, there are several opportunities:
- Prayer service for life
The archdiocese is sponsoring a local Prayer Service for Life, which takes place Jan. 22 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Led by Bishop Lee Piché, the 10:30 a.m. service will be followed by a march to the State Capitol and a rally organized by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.
- All Night Prayer Vigil
New this year is a prayer vigil that starts at 7 p.m. Jan 21 and continues until 7 a.m. the next morning at St. Mary’s Chapel at the St. Paul Seminary. The event begins with Mass at 7, followed by eucharistic adoration at 8 and confession until midnight. At 3 a.m. will be the Divine Mercy Chaplet, with Benediction and repose of the Blessed Sacrament at 7 a.m.
- Youth for Life Conference
On Jan. 21, which is also Martin Luther King Day when many schools are closed, there will be a Minnesota Youth for Life Conference at Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale. Going from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., it will feature speakers covering a variety of pro-life topics, including how youth can help overturn Roe v. Wade. Cost is $30. For more information, visit http://www.mnyouthforlife.webs.com.
