WASHINGTON, D.C.—Student representatives from Immaculate High School attended the 45th March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 19. The 2018 March for Life theme was “Love Saves Lives.”
“Choosing life is not always easy, but it is the loving, empowering and self-sacrificial option,” said Deacon Jeff Font, chaplain of Immaculate. “Love is universally attractive because it is directed towards others. Love is what we all strive for because deep-down we are all drawn to give of ourselves in this way. Love saves lives in countless ways.”
The group of forty students and seven chaperones departed Danbury on January 18 and spent two days in Washington, D.C. with an important purpose and making memories. Upon arrival, their first stop was the George Mason University Eagle Bank Arena where the “Life is Very Good” evening rally took place. During the rally, students participated in prayer, listened to inspirational speakers, enjoyed lively spiritual music and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On the morning of the march, students returned to Eagle Bank Arena for a morning rally and prepared for the march with other teens. The March for Life officially began at the Washington Monument and continued down Constitution Avenue to the steps of the Supreme Court, where in 1973 the Court ruled in Roe vs. Wade to disallow state and federal restrictions on abortion in the United States.
Erica Penny, an IHS sophomore, felt that the March for Life allowed her to think about her devotion to her faith and was inspired by the commitment of others. “I learned that I should start connecting more to my faith,” she said. “I thought it was amazing that there were so many people gathered in the same place for the same reason.”
“The March for Life was a great experience overall. The trip itself was packed with lots of different opportunities to spread the joy and love of life,” said Drew Mitchell, also an IHS sophomore. “I especially enjoyed the night rally’s speakers, who were so passionate about their faith and made everyone else in the audience just as passionate. The march, too, introduced me to new perspectives on the value of lives and why we must try and protect them as much as possible. Every person on the trip truly showed their courageous spirit and made me want to spread that feeling with others. I will definitely be back next year for my third March for Life,” he said.
The adults were just as uplifted. “It was inspiring to be a part of the Life is Very Good rallies and the March for Life with the students from Immaculate and from across the country—their energy was amazing,” said chaperone Christopher Kirkman. “By participating in the March for Life events, the students got to see that they are one part of the much larger pro-life movement, which includes people of all ages and faith traditions—even atheists. They also learned the importance of having their voices heard and demonstrating in a peaceful, prayerful way.”
