Marching for Life

The pro-life generation is alive and well! 
 
This was evident during the recent National March for Life in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 24. 
 
The Bismarck Diocese was represented by 23 youth and 11 adults who traveled via bus for this life-changing pilgrimage. The trip began with a celebration of the Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck on Jan. 20, with Bishop Kagan celebrating along with six con-celebrating priests who came along on the trip. These priests were Fr. Ben Franchuk, Fr. Jake Magnuson, Fr. Eric Artz, Fr. Josh Hill, Fr. Grant Dvorak and Fr. Stephen Vetter. This Mass was the first of many events throughout the week, that gathered almost 200 students from the diocese pilgrimage— as well as students from Trinity High School in Dickinson, Bishop Ryan High School in Minot and Bismarck’s St. Mary’s Central High School. 
 
After Mass, the four buses hit the road for the 1,500-mile trek to the nation’s capital. Once the buses arrived in Washington D.C., the students were able to visit several spiritual sites in the area. These sites included the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmetsburg, Maryland, and a walking tour of Gettysburg Cemetery. Other sites that were visited throughout the week included the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and adoration and confession at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, Virginia. This basilica is the first Catholic parish in the Commonwealth of Virginia, established in 1795. 
 
On Friday, in preparation for the March for Life, the group attended the Life Fest rally at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, sponsored by the Sisters for Life and the Knights of Columbus, which included speakers who have been affected by abortion, as well as Mass with a number of bishops and priests in attendance. 
 
The March for Life on Friday afternoon was the highlight of the week for many students. Marching with hundreds of thousands of fellow pro-lifers allowed those in attendance to share in conversation, personal and communal prayer and simple awareness of the value of all life. All were able to be upfront and personal with those who are walking in the trenches against this American holocaust. The March was a very peaceful and prayerful experience, and the students in attendance were in awe of the large number of people who stand on the right side of life. 
 
Following the march, there was time for some local sightseeing of presidential monuments and then the long bus ride home began. The final stop at the end of the 24-hour bus ride home was a closing Mass at Shanley High School in Fargo. 
 
The impact this event made on the young people is incredible. To see so many young people in one place fighting for the same cause is a move in the right direction. The average age at the March was probably between 15 and 25 years old. This is the pro-life generation! I boldly predict that they will see an end to abortion in their lifetime. 
 
The next March for Life is set for Jan. 23, 2026. For more pictures, go to bismarckdiocese.com/photoalbums/2025-march-for-life-pilgrimage.