As one lone bus traveled from the Diocese of Camden to the March for Life on Jan. 19, other respect life advocates across South Jersey spent the early morning hours in prayer. Though the majority of buses scheduled to travel were waylaid by falling snow and freezing temperatures, their passengers still came together to pray for mothers, the unborn and safe travels for those on the march.
“We are defenders of life’s principles,” said Dennis Crowley of Church of the Incarnation, Mantua, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6364. With their trip canceled, the passengers gathered to pray the Rosary at the parish. “I remember as a child learning about the massacre of the Innocents ordered by Herod. This same evil is in the world today with abortion.”
Such sentiments were the driving force behind thousands across the nation attending the 51st March for Life in Washington, including a Knights of Columbus-sponsored bus from the Diocese of Camden with 25 pro-life advocates from South Jersey.
Diocese of Camden seminarian Timothy Mulranen traveled to the nation’s capital Jan. 18 with his seminary, Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. Taking part in the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, he said he was inspired by seeing thousands of young people in attendance.
“It gives me hope that the next generation will indeed be faithful to Christ and His Church despite the decline of Christianity amongst our young people today,” he said. “It also shows me how much young people care for the dignity of life and how their support is an essential witness to society if we wish to continue to urge our government to promote legislation that will protect all life, young and old.”
He said he continued to see this witness on Jan. 19.
The March for Life began in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which once legalized abortion nationwide. This year’s march – its second year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe in 2022 – drew smaller crowds due to the winter weather but still showed an eager movement.
Speaker after speaker at the march – which had as its theme “With every woman, for every child” – emphasized making abortion “unthinkable.”
Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life Education and Defense Fund, and others said not only was the national march there to stay, but pro-life marches would be multiplying throughout all 50 states in the coming years.
“We will keep marching every year at the national level, as well as in our states, until our nation’s laws reflect the basic truth that all human life is created equal and is worthy of protection,” Mancini told the thousands gathered on the National Mall.
OSV News contributed to this report.
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