Advocates express renewed hope during March for Life

“It was overwhelming.”

That’s how Olivia Ciampa, a senior at DePaul High School in Wayne, described the experience as one of about 150,000 pro-life advocates on Jan. 24 who raised their voices in defense of human life — from conception to natural death — during the 52nd national March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Despite chilly weather, many faithful from the Paterson Diocese joined demonstrators nationwide, bringing renewed hope to the Respect for Life cause. Ciampa came to the Nation’s Capital with 19 other DePaul students — part of a prominent appearance by youth. It was her fourth time at the annual march, which this year had the theme “Life: Why We March.”

“We are advocating for what we believe in. It’s powerful. Many people think it’s okay [to have an abortion]. They say, ‘It’s your body.’ But Jesus called us to love everyone. Life is so precious. It could be gone in the blink of an eye,” said Ciampa of the DePaul’s Right to Life Club.

Scenes from students of DePaul High School in Wayne preparing to leave for the March for Life, a rally the night before the march, and March for Life.
Photos courtesy of DePaul Catholic High School

After several years of disappointment at the ballot box since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, many marchers and speakers who addressed a pre-march rally expressed optimism after the historic rejection of pro-abortion ballot measures in three states last November. They also had hope for more pro-life actions over the next four years under the administration of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump. Trump spoke via a prerecorded video message, and Vice President JD Vance spoke in person, according to Catholic News Agency.

On Jan. 23, Trump pardoned 23 convicted pro-life advocates, including Joan Andrews Bell, a longtime activist, and wife of Christopher Bell, co-founder of Good Counsel Homes for pregnant homeless women.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joined the march and attended the National Prayer Vigil for Life with others in the Basilica of the National Shrine on the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. He also celebrated a Mass before the march at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill Church.

National Prayer Vigil for Life.
Photos courtesy of Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney
The March for Life 2025.
Photos courtesy of Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney

“We thank God for a beautiful day at the March for Life!! We thank Father Michael Rodak [diocesan pilgrimage director and pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Hardyston] and all our Diocesan Leaders for organizing so many Pilgrims of Hope from Paterson, who attended the March,” Bishop Sweeney posted. “May we continue to be a voice for the voiceless and protect the most vulnerable among us.”

Father Alex Nevitt, administrator of St. Bonaventure Parish in Paterson, also attended the National Prayer Vigil for Life and Mass before the march.

“There was good energy. It’s good to see the young people gather for the pro-life movement,” said Father Nevitt, who attended with the Sisters for Life and the N.J. Order of Malta. Because of New Jersey’s strong pro-abortion laws, the priest finds hope in looking to the federal level. The United States is more pro-life again. We are working on making a change. Abortion can’t continue.”

Scenes from the National Prayer Vigil for Life, Mass at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill Church, and March for Life.
Photos courtesy of Father Alex Nevitt

Many participants attended other life-themed events before the march.

Several students, alumnae, parents, and Mary Help of Christians Academy (MHCA) teachers in North Haledon joined fellow local youth, including members of the youth group of St. Theresa’s Parish in Paterson. Salesian Sister Pamela Rose Suresca, MHCA’s campus minister, led her school community.

“Marching for life is a way to form young people who can be witnesses, advocates, and defenders of those who cannot speak for themselves. I had the honor to march alongside my students, their families, and other young people who understood that sacrifice and love for life are the same,” Sister Suresca said. ” The streets were filled with joyful souls chanting, singing, and praying. We march united to build a culture where all life is loved, new life is welcomed with joy, and those who the tragedy of abortion has hurt are led to healing and hope.”

Father Rodak called the annual trip to Washington “an inspiration to see the many people who attend but more importantly the first-time attendees.”

“Their enthusiasm and awe of the day tell you it’s worth coordinating getting people from the diocese to the Nation’s Capital, knowing you allowed the faithful to exercise their Catholic faith prayerfully. Going to the March for Life, the faithful exercise the Gospel of Life, called to evangelize that every life in the womb has the right to life,” Father Rodak said.

March for Life.
Photos courtesy of the Diocesan Shrine of John Paul II/Holy Rosary Parish in Passaic
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