March for Life
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The March for Life is an annual pro-life rally protesting abortion, held in Washington D.C. near the anniversary of the January 22, 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Roe v. Wade case which legalized abortion for any reason throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
Logo: The color red is a symbol of mourning. We are saddened by the 60 million unique American lives that have been lost to abortion since 1973. Yet a red rose is also a sign of life and love. In this case, an image of the love between a mother and child. Abortion not only takes a life, it harms a mother emotionally, psychologically and physically. Until recently, marchers were allowed to personally deliver red roses to legislators in their Hill offices. The roses symbolized the lives of the unborn and were meant to encourage Members to support policies that protected and built a culture of life. |
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One-minute time-lapse video of the 2020 March for Life
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*** Respect Life Office Decision Regarding the 2021 March for Life ***
Dear Faithful Defenders and Past Pilgrims
After much prayer and discernment, the Respect Life Office has made the difficult decision to forego the annual bus pilgrimage to the 2021 March for Life in Washington DC, on Friday, January 29, 2021. Although much thought went into this decision, it ultimately boiled down to three factors:
Dear Faithful Defenders and Past Pilgrims
After much prayer and discernment, the Respect Life Office has made the difficult decision to forego the annual bus pilgrimage to the 2021 March for Life in Washington DC, on Friday, January 29, 2021. Although much thought went into this decision, it ultimately boiled down to three factors:
- COVID-19: Registration for our March for Life Pilgrimage has typically opened up the third Monday of September every year. However, due to the size and complexity of the trip, planning has always begun in late Spring. This year, uncertainty around COVID-19 has postponed or prevented many of the necessary preliminary planning activities until very recently. This is in addition to on-going uncertainty around event and travel restrictions and the likelihood and timing of having a solution to the pandemic prior to the trip. Furthermore, many of our pilgrims the past three years have been either older adults or families with younger youth – two groups least likely to participate this year given the circumstances with COVID-19.
- The 2021 Youth Rally & Mass for Life: This event, an important part of past trips for many of our youth held at the Comcast (Verizon) Center the morning before the March for Life, will be an entirely virtual event this year. As information is made available by the Archdiocese of Washington, it will be communicated by the Respect Life Office. This will hopefully be a wonderful opportunity for every person interested in participating to do so remotely. In the meantime, please visit www.youthrallyandmassforlife.org for updates.
- Trend Toward Decentralized Trips: Over the past three to five years, we have seen a steady increase in the number of parishes and schools that have begun hosting their own trips, many organized by past diocesan pilgrims, and a steady decrease in the participation in the diocesan trip. This has created a new opportunity for the Respect Life Office to shift its focus to consultation for more decentralized trips and sponsorship and facilitation of shared diocesan activities, both locally and for those pilgrims that do travel to Washington DC. As this trend continues into the future, many more of our faithful will have the flexibility to participate in a variety of different types of trips to Washington DC.
Resources for Parishes/Schools Interested in Hosting a March for Life Pilgrimage
Each year from 2007-2020, the Respect Life Office hosted a March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington DC in January. In addition to sharing many spiritual and personal memories with the thousands of pilgrims, parents, teachers, priests, religious and volunteers who made these trips such life-affirming events, the Respect Life Office also gained significant insight into the planning, collaboration and execution necessary for a successful pilgrimage.
Although the Respect Life Office will not be hosting a 2021 pilgrimage, below are a few sample materials from past years that can be used to help you and your team plan your own trip. Included are templates, guidelines and on-line resources for promotion, participant registration and payment, communication, fundraising, and leadership and volunteer activities.
If you or your group is interested in hosting a trip to Washington DC in January and have questions or would like modifiable copies of any of these materials, or if you would like to learn more about trips and related local activities that are being planned this year, please contact the Respect Life Office at francis@diocesekcsj.org.
Although the Respect Life Office will not be hosting a 2021 pilgrimage, below are a few sample materials from past years that can be used to help you and your team plan your own trip. Included are templates, guidelines and on-line resources for promotion, participant registration and payment, communication, fundraising, and leadership and volunteer activities.
If you or your group is interested in hosting a trip to Washington DC in January and have questions or would like modifiable copies of any of these materials, or if you would like to learn more about trips and related local activities that are being planned this year, please contact the Respect Life Office at francis@diocesekcsj.org.
SAMPLE Promotional & Program Materials
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SAMPLE Registration
OPTION 1: On-line registration -- Please contact the Respect Life Office for suggestions.
OPTION 2: Mail-In registration -- Complete a hardcopy Registration Form (SAMPLE)
NOTE: It is recommended that all Youth** also complete a Youth Parental Consent and Medical Release Form (SAMPLE)
OPTION 1: On-line registration -- Please contact the Respect Life Office for suggestions.
OPTION 2: Mail-In registration -- Complete a hardcopy Registration Form (SAMPLE)
NOTE: It is recommended that all Youth** also complete a Youth Parental Consent and Medical Release Form (SAMPLE)
SAMPLE Payment
Adults* & Youth**
Early-Bird Registration (Date range) ................................. $ -- Please see below for costs to consider.
Regular Registration (Date range) ..................................... $
Priests and Vowed Religious (Date range) .......................$
* Adult registrants are pilgrims 18 years of age or older and who have already graduated from high school.
** Youth registrants are pilgrims 17 years of age or younger or pilgrims who have not yet graduated from high school.
Adults* & Youth**
Early-Bird Registration (Date range) ................................. $ -- Please see below for costs to consider.
Regular Registration (Date range) ..................................... $
Priests and Vowed Religious (Date range) .......................$
* Adult registrants are pilgrims 18 years of age or older and who have already graduated from high school.
** Youth registrants are pilgrims 17 years of age or younger or pilgrims who have not yet graduated from high school.
OPTION 1: On-line payment -- Please contact the Respect Life Office for suggestions.
OPTION 2: Mail-in payment
NOTE: Although there is no cost directly associated with the March for Life, here are some common costs to consider when pricing your trip:
OPTION 2: Mail-in payment
NOTE: Although there is no cost directly associated with the March for Life, here are some common costs to consider when pricing your trip:
- Hotel rooms
- Bus rental, tolls, overnight parking passes and gratuity for drivers
- Meals in-route and while in Washington DC
- Promotional posters, brochures and other advertising
- Administrative and logistical supplies (nametags, signs, luggage ID, etc.)
- Educational and activity materials (program booklets, DVDs, games, etc.)
- Trip supplies (medications, personal hygiene, handwarmers, etc.)
- Snacks and drinks for send-off and for the trip
- Apparel to identify your group at the March for Life (stocking caps, T-shirts, scarves, etc.)
- Group passes (Metro, museums, sightseeing, etc.)
SAMPLE Fundraising
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Pilgrimage Program Booklet Advertisements
Each pilgrim will receive a program booklet full of pro-life educational, spiritual, and social information and activities to prepare for the March for Life and to assist with pro-life ministry activities once home again. Pilgrims can sell advertisements in the program booklet to help pay for their trip or local organizations can simply place an advertisement to help cover the cost of the trip for a particular pilgrim or for any pilgrim who may be in need of assistance. Since 100% of the proceeds from advertisements go toward helping to defer the cost of the trip for needy pilgrims, the pilgrimage booklet not only serves to educate pilgrims and to promote local pro-life parishes, organizations and businesses, it is also a great way for pilgrims to pay for their March for Life Pilgrimage trip! To learn more, please review the March for Life Program Booklet Advertising Packet (SAMPLE), which includes:
Pilgrim Sponsorship Parishes, schools, Knights of Columbus councils and similar groups can sponsor individual pilgrims from their respective youth ministries and parish families. Group Fund-Raising Events For larger school, parish, and other pro-life groups making the pilgrimage to Washington DC, the Respect Life Office can assist with planning and organizing local fundraisers for the March for Life Pilgrimage. Respect Life Office March for Life Pilgrimage Fund Assist the Respect Life Office in supporting local March for Life pilgrimage activities, both locally and in Washington DC, by making a donation to the Respect Life Office March for Life Pilgrimage Fund. |
Additional Resources
The Respect Life Office can also assist with recommendations and guidance for the following tasks and activities:
- Selection and negotiation of hotel and bus accommodations
- Managing trip logistics, leadership responsibilities, and critical documentation
- Pre-trip communications with pilgrims
- Planning itinerary for spiritual, educational and social activities
- Pre-trip meetings, send-off Masses, and departure activities
- Coordinating your pilgrimage theme with the annual March for Life theme, including selection of appropriate pro-life and Catholic movies
- Participation in the Vigil for Life Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC
- Navigating the greater Washington DC area in general, and the area in and around the National Mall in particular
- Sightseeing on and near the National Mall
- Meeting with legislators in Washington DC
- Safety and emergency management
Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities
Below are a few volunteer ideas to assist you with planning your March for Life Pilgrimage.
Leadership & Planning
Pastoral Care
Fundraising & Promotion
Prayer & Worship
To learn more about these opportunities and more, please contact the Respect Life Office or email francis@diocesekcsj.org .
Leadership & Planning
- Create or join a Respect Life Committee in your parish or local faith organization
- Volunteer as a bus captain, activity leader or chaperone for the March for Life Pilgrimage or assist these leaders with their planning activities
- Data entry of pilgrimage registration information and other administrative tasks for the trip
- Assist with planning and organizing local activities in support of the pilgrims from your parish or organization who travel to Washington DC
Pastoral Care
- Organize a group of pilgrims from your parish
- Facilitate parish, school and group presentations on the March for Life
Fundraising & Promotion
- Organize, or assist others in organizing, a fundraiser to sponsor pilgrims from your parish or school
- Ask your parish ministry or Knights of Columbus council to sponsor a pilgrim with a scholarship, contests or donation
Prayer & Worship
- Organize a group to participate in local prayer vigils.
To learn more about these opportunities and more, please contact the Respect Life Office or email francis@diocesekcsj.org .
