SW News: The 50th annual March for Life, the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration, will be held on Friday, January 20, in Washington, DC. This year’s theme of March for Life, “Next Steps: Marching into a Post-Roe America,” emphasizes the need in the absence of Roe v. Wade for pro-life advocates to continue boldly marching in defense of the unborn and advocating for a minimum federal standard to protect innocent life against radical pro-abortion legislation. The rally begins at noon on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Speakers including Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who won the Dobbs Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade; Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse; Sister Mary Casey of the Sisters of Life; Dr. Christina Francis, CEO-Elect of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and Gina Tomes, Program Director of the Bethlehem House maternity home, will join Jonathan Roumie, best known for his award-winning role as “Jesus” in THE CHOSEN, and Coach Tony Dungy, NYT bestselling author and Pro-Football Hall of Famer, in addressing Marchers this year.

Additional legislative speakers include House Majority Leader Steve Scalise; Congressman Christopher H. Smith, Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus; and Connecticut State Representative Treneé McGhee. Award-winning musical group ‘We Are Messengers’ will perform at the pre-rally concert.
The ministry of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has also invited the believers to the National Prayer Vigil for Life, which will once again be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on January 19 through January 20, 2023.

The Opening Mass will begin at 5 pm on January 19 in the Great Upper Church, and it will be offered by the Most Reverend Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington and Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Immediately following the Opening Mass, the National Holy Hour for Life will be held through 8 pm, after which holy hours will take place in dioceses across the country overnight. The National Prayer Vigil will conclude with the Closing Mass at 8 am on January 20 in the Great Upper Church celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph Coffey, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

While there is no substitute for attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in person and receiving the Blessed Sacrament, the Basilica is committed to ensuring that Catholics throughout the world can experience the liturgy and hear the Gospel through live streaming. Both the opening and closing Mass will be live-streamed.