Marching for the defenseless

In the 47 years since the legalization of abortion in America, people have been traveling to Washington, D.C., to stand for life. The March for Life draws people of all ages from across the country to make their voices heard in defense of the defenseless. The hope is that more people will recognize that each life is a gift from God.

Youth from the Diocese of Greensburg arrived in Washington the night before the Jan. 24 march to attend an Evening of Prayer on the campus of George Mason University, where 8,000 students participated in the Life is Very Good event that included inspirational music and speakers. The evening concluded with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Youth returned to the campus the next morning for a rally and a Mass concelebrated by many priests and bishops, including Bishop Edward C. Malesic and Father Lawrence L. Manchas, pastor of St. Bruno and St. Paul parishes, Greensburg.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched down Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court building. Diocesan youth were joined by tens of thousands of other high school and college students.

Christie Smith, director of youth ministry for the diocese and youth trip organizer, said, “It’s amazing to me every year how many teenagers are here and how vocal they are about this fight for life. It’s encouraging and makes me hopeful to have them stand up for what they believe in. It brings me such great joy to walk alongside them.”