Catholics March for Life in January
January 18, 2017 • Diocese of St. Augustine

The 44th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing abortion is being observed in January around the diocese and with a pilgrimage to Washington. This year’s events have been scheduled around the inauguration on Jan. 20 in Washington.

Pro-lifers march carrying signs during the March for Life in St. Augustine in January 2015. (Photo by St. Augustine Catholic/Brandon Duncan)

In St. Augustine, the kick-off event begins Friday, Jan. 13, with Holy Hour at 5 p.m. followed by Mass at 6 p.m. at The Shrine at Mission Nombre de Dios.

The Illuminated Living Rosary will be at 6:45 p.m. at the Great Cross. Food and festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Bosco House, across from the Shrine on Sebastian Avenue.

The March for Life will be Saturday, Jan. 14. The event begins at 9 a.m. with Mass at the shrine. The march begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at the Plaza de la Constitution with the keynote speech by Olivia Gans Turner, co-host of Pro-life Perspective, and remarks by Bishop Felipe Estévez.

Spaghetti dinners, prepared by the Knights of Columbus, will be available at noon at 259 St. George St. For more information, visit: www.marchforlifestaugustine.com.

In Jacksonville, Bishop Estévez will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23 at the Basilica of the

Bishop Estévez poses with Pro-Life advocates during the Stand for Life at the Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville (Photo by St. Augustine Catholic/Woody Huband)

Immaculate Conception, followed by a Stand for Life at the Federal Courthouse at noon.

In Orange Park, a Mass for Life and Rose Procession will be at 7 p.m., Monday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. For information call Deacon Larry Hart at (904) 571-9606.

The March for Life Pilgrimage for young adults to Washington, D.C. is Jan. 25-29. The diocese is organizing transportation by bus to the nation’s capital for several days of events and sightseeing.

A pro-life young adult prepares to march during the Pro-Life Rally held at the Mall in Washington, D.C. (Photo by St. Augustine Catholic/Tonia Borsellino)

They will arrive Thursday, Jan. 26, for the March for Life Conference and Expo. More than 20,000 are expected that evening for the Vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

On Friday, Jan. 27, Bishop Estévez will celebrate the second annual Mass for Florida Pilgrims and then the diocesan delegation will join the more than 300,000 expected for the National March for Life from the National Mall to the Supreme Court building.

For more information, visit: www.dcfl.org.