March For Life in Washington D.C.
Friday, January 24, 2025
What is the March for Life?
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. Although Roe v. Wade was overturned in the landmark Dobbs vs Jackson decision, the battle of life continues and the March for Life is more important than ever! Inspired by the Holy Spirit’s gift of reverence, Catholics and all people of good will come together at our Nation’s Capital 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.
Bus Pilgrimages to the March for Life
Below are the confirmed bus trips for 2025. Contact us to add your trip to the list!
Join the 2025 Respect Life Office Bus Pilgrimage, leaving from Manhattan – Register HERE!
St. Benedict’s: Contact: Fr. Nikolin Pergjiini 718-828-3403 Departing from St. Benedict’s Church, Throgs Neck
Hopewell Junction: Contact: Dan Slader [email protected] Departing from St. Columba Church, Hopewell Junction
Respect Life Office: Contact: Sr. Elena Marie, SV at [email protected] or 646-476-0931; Departing from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Manhattan. Register here!
Bringing a group from Orange County? Email [email protected] to be added!
Bringing a group from Putnam County? Email [email protected] to be added!
Rockland Right to Life: Contact: Gayle: 845-634-1283 or Eileen: 845-492-6709 or Erika: 845-729-2426 Departing from: St. Joseph, Spring Valley
Bringing a group from Staten Island? Email [email protected] to be added!
St. Patrick, Yorktown Heights ( with Kennedy Catholic): Contact: Maria Litrenta: 914-962-1815, [email protected]. Cost: Students free, non-parishioners $40 per person.
St. Joseph’s, Yonkers: Contact: Carmen Urena, 914-963-0730, [email protected]
Archdiocese of New York Pilgrim Mass
Join pilgrims from throughout New York who have traveled to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life at the New York Pilgrim Mass at 10:30am at St. Patrick’s Church. Archdiocesan priests intending to concelebrate the Mass must request a Letter of Good Standing. To avoid a delay, please submit your request today.
Additional March for Life Events
Check out the following events surrounding the March for Life!
Life Fest
This year, the Sisters of Life, the Knights of Columbus and the Diocese of Arlington’s Life is Very Good Rally are joining forces to bring you LIFE FEST 2025 on January 23rd & 24th, at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Life Fest includes music, prayer, and dynamic speakers. For more information, visit www.lifefestrally.com.
National Prayer Vigil for Life
The National Prayer Vigil for Life is a pro-life prayer vigil held on the eve of the March for Life each January. It is held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Opening Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 23rd at 5:00 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a 7:00-8:00 p.m. Holy Hour for Life. Throughout the night, Holy Hours will be led by various bishops throughout the country and available on live-stream. A closing Mass for the Vigil will be celebrated at 8:00am on Friday morning. Typically, over 20,000 pilgrims from across the nation pray through the night for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life.
The Vigil Program will be televised by EWTN and livestreamed on the Basilica’s webpage so millions can participate remotely.
Cardinal O’Connor Conference
The Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life is the largest collegiate pro-life conference in the United States! The conference will be held on Saturday, January 25th. To register or learn more about the 2025 conference click here.
National Pro-Life Summit
A massive gathering of grassroots pro-life activists of all ages, hosted in D.C. the day after the March for Life. The National Pro-Life Summit will be held on January 25th, 2025. Visit the website to register and for more details.
Other Locations in Washington, D.C.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Make time to visit “America’s Catholic Church!” Stop in for Mass, or explore the beautiful basilica, including the crypt Church.
Saint John Paul II National Shrine
Visit the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II! Make sure to give yourself time to explore the exhibit of his life and legacy, and to pray with his relic in the chapel. A beautiful and moving experience! Click the image below to visit the Shrine’s website.
Local Opportunities for Prayer and Witness
If you are not able to attend the March for Life in D.C. this year, we encourage you to participate in local prayer events or peaceful, prayerful witness outside of an abortion clinic near your. January 22nd remains the National Day of Prayer and Fasting for the legal protection of the unborn.
Consider witnessing at one of the 40 Days for Life vigil sites, or participating in a local Witness for Life.
Want to learn more about how to pray and witness outside of an abortion clinic? Click here for Tips for Witness.