Despite recent, heavy snowfall in many parts of the state, thousands of Catholics from North Carolina travelled to Washington, D.C., for the 45th March for Life on Jan. 19.
Now the largest life event in the world, the march first began in 1973 as a small demonstration in response to the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
A large crowd of priests, lay faithful, deacons and seminarians from the diocese rode buses and public transportation to the U.S. Navy Memorial to join as a unified group and march together. They participated in the march—which carried the theme “Love Saves Lives”—at the National Mall with hundreds of thousands of people. The group cheered and celebrated life in all stages with a positive message of hope that this will be the generation that honors life.
Prior to the march, the annual North Carolina Mass for Life, celebrated by the Diocese of Raleigh and the Diocese of Charlotte, was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.