November 24, 2006

Wanted: Students to participate in annual pro-life pilgrimage

By Mary Ann Wyand

High school and college students in central and southern Indiana are invited to participate in the archdiocese’s annual pro-life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20-23 for the 34th annual March for Life and National Mass for Life.

The archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry, in collaboration with the archdiocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, will send five buses of teenagers from the archdiocese to the March and Rally for Life, which is scheduled on Jan. 22.

The three-day pilgrimage also includes participation in the National Mass for Life on Jan. 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein is scheduled to participate in the Mass for Life and March for Life. He also will celebrate a eucharistic liturgy with archdiocesan pilgrims at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 at the Crypt Chapel at the basilica.

Several diocesan priests, deacons and at least

15 seminarians will join the youths and adult chaperones on the pro-life pilgrimage.

During the march, students will pray for an end to

abortion while walking along Constitution Avenue from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill.

“The spiritual pilgrimage provides an excellent opportunity for our youth to pray, sacrifice and do penance,” said Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, director of the pro-life office.

“The pro-life battle is essentially a spiritual one,” Sister Diane said. “When all is said and done, the transformation of our society into one that respects and protects human life must find its inspiration and strength in the liberating message of the Gospel of Life.”

(For registration information for the youth pilgrimage to the March for Life in January, contact parish youth ministry coordinators or the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry at 317-236-1569 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1569.) †

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