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. |
**NOTE: The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph will not be hosting a 2022 March for Life Pilgrimage**
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Respect Life office will be working with local parishes, schools, and other organizations interested in hosting smaller pilgrimages to Washington DC. Included below is information to assist groups in this effort. As these pilgrimages are finalized, information about each will be shared on this March for Life webpage, on the Respect Life Office Facebook page, and via regular newsletter and pastoral communications.
2022 National March for Life
Visit the 2022 National March for Life site for a
schedule of additional activities and information |
One-minute time-lapse video of the 2020 March for Life
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National Prayer Vigil for Life The National Prayer Vigil for Life will take place from Thursday, January 20 through Friday, January 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Please note that the Vigil program has once again been adjusted due to ongoing concerns about the pandemic. The January 20 Opening Mass will begin at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern) and will be immediately followed by a 7:00-8:00 p.m. Holy Hour for Life, concluding the evening portion of the Vigil program. Both the Mass and Holy Hour will be televised live by EWTN so that millions can participate remotely. The following morning, the Closing Mass on January 21 will take place once again at the Basilica at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern), and will also be televised by EWTN. Rather than the Basilica being open to the normal crowd of 12,000+ pilgrims for the January 20-21 Vigil events, there will instead be a 3,000-person limit, arranged through an electronic reservation system through the Basilica’s website. The web reservation information will be made public soon. Due to the limited attendance allowed for the 2022 Vigil for Life, this will also impact bishop and priest concelebrant numbers on the altar for the Opening and Closing Masses. The usual bishop- and priest-concelebrant reservation links will be made available on the Basilica website soon. Bishops are encouraged to concelebrate if they are traveling with their diocesan pilgrim groups to Washington, DC for the January pro-life activities. DC Traveler Information Other helpful information for your travel planning can be found at the following websites:
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2022 Youth Rally & Mass for Life
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ATTENTION -- In order to honor the concerns voiced by diocesan leaders about the ongoing pandemic and minors being potentially exposed to COVID, as well as to honor the mission of donors and to promote better stewardship of diocesan funds, the Archdiocese of Washington has decided to cancel the in-person 2022 Youth Rally & Mass for Life at Capital One Arena. Information will be provided in the coming weeks about a livestream event open to all diocesan groups. |
2022 Regional and Local March for Life Activities
Included below is information about local March for Life events and activities that are being planned. This information will also be updated as planning for each progresses, so please check back often.
Missouri Right to Life KC Prayer Vigil
Midwest March for Life
Kansans for Life Rally
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Resources for Parishes/Schools Interested in Hosting a March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington DC
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From 2007-2020, the Respect Life Office hosted an annual 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 useful insight into the planning, collaboration and execution necessary for a successful pilgrimage.
Below are 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, pilgrim registration and payment, communication, fundraising, and leadership and volunteer activities. If you or your group is interested in hosting a trip to Washington DC and have questions, if you 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. |
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 at send-off rallies and in-route during 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 might 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 can 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.
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.
