March for Life

March For Life – Washington D.C. –  January 29, 2021

What is the March for Life in Washington D.C.?

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 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. 

Plan Your Trip!

Visit the official March for Life website for more general information on the March for Life in Washington, DC.

Watch the March for Life coverage from home

If you are unable to attend the March for Life in person this year, sign up to watch live March for Life coverage from your home. You can still participate virtually in this important event and unite yourself in prayer with all those gathered in D.C. Click here to learn more.

Interested in joining the Respect Life Bus to the March for Life? Contact us.

At this time, the Respect Life Office plans to host a bus to the March for Life abiding by social distancing and safety protocols set out by the Archdiocese. As space will be more limited than usual, please contact us early to reserve your spot.

Contact: Sr. Charity, SV, – 646-476-0931; sr.charity@archny.org

Buses from the Archdiocese

Please contact your local parish coordinator for information on travelling to the March for Life. While we hope many will be able to attend the March for Life this year, COVID restrictions may not make this possible. Check back here for a listing of buses that will be travelling to the March for Life (observing safety protocols). Here is a full list of buses that traveled to the March for Life from the Archdiocese in 2020.

Opportunities for Local Witness

If you are not able to attend the March for Life this year, we encourage you to participate in a day of peaceful, prayerful witness outside of an abortion clinic near you on Saturday, January 30th. As we know a larger number of abortions occur on Saturday, we would encourage you to make Saturday, January 30th a day of witness. For we know, “Abortions don’t happen in the White House, the Supreme Court, or the halls of Congress, they happen in the communities where you and I live, work and play. Truly, the greatest crossroads of life and death today is the sidewalk in front of your local abortion facility. We can go to where abortions are taking place to effect change” (Sidewalk Advocates for Life, Basic Training).

Consider witnessing at one of the following abortion clinics:

Want to learn more about how to pray and witness outside of an abortion clinic? Click here for Tips for Witness.

The Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Join us for the Prayer Vigil for Life at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. 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. Click here to reserve a spot.

NY Pilgrim Mass in D.C.

Stay tuned for information regarding a Mass for New York pilgrims at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. in 2021. We have been in communication with St. Patrick’s Church in D.C. regarding current COVID restrictions and will determine what will be possible closer to the date of the March.

What else is going on?

Check out the following events surrounding the March for Life!

National Prayer Vigil for Life

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is an all-night pro-life prayer vigil held on the eve of the March for Life each January. 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. It is held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Thursday, January 28, 2021 will be closed to the public but will still be televised by EWTN so millions can participate remotely. Please see the adjusted 2021 Vigil schedule and visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information.

Life is Very Good Rally

Each year, more than 11,000 participants from across the country join the Life is VERY Good events at EagleBank Arena, in preparation for the March for Life. After careful consideration of state and local COVID-19 regulations and consultation with Bishop Burbidge, the decision has been made that Life is VERY Good 2021 will not take place in its usual manner. Instead, there will be a livestreamed Evening of Prayer from the Cathedral of St. Thomas More on Thursday, January 28. This will include Eucharistic Adoration with Bishop Burbidge as the principal celebrant, as well as nationally known musicians and keynote speaker. Click here for more information on how to participate.

Youth Rally and Mass for Life

This year’s Youth Rally and Mass will be held virtually. The rally will begin at 8:30AM on January 29th followed by a live-streamed Mass at 10:00AM. Click here to visit the official website and to register for the Youth Rally and Mass.

National Prayer Vigil for Life Closing Mass

The 8:00 am Closing Mass for the Vigil for Life will be open to the public. Please note, due to current Washington D.C. restrictions, in-person mass attendance is limited to 100 people inside the Basilica. Admission will be allowed on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for more details.

Cardinal O’Connor Conference

The Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life is the largest collegiate pro-life conference in the United States! This year the conference will be held virtually. To register or learn more about the 2021 conference click here.

National Pro-Life Summit

A one-day training event for grassroots pro-life activists of all ages, hosted in D.C. the day after the March for Life. The Pro-Life Summit has been postponed until January 22, 2022. Visit the website for more details.

#Stand4Life National Pro-Life Training

Students for Life of America is hosting a National Pro-Life Training & Activism Weekend, January 27-30, 2021. Receive leadership training via Facebook Live and participate in local activism efforts. Visit the website to learn more.

Novena For Life

9 Days for Life is a “digital pilgrimage” of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person’s life. A multi-faceted novena highlighting a different intention each day provides reflections, bonus information, and suggested actions. Join to receive the novena through the 9 Days for Life app, daily emails, or daily texts. Find the website here.

Other Sites to Visit

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. Find relics of Pope St. John Paul II, among others!

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.