Participants from all Indiana dioceses, plus four of the state’s bishops, will join in Indiana March for Life on Jan. 22

Participants process in Indianapolis during the Indiana March for Life earlier this year on Jan. 22. (File photo by Natalie Hoefer)

By Natalie Hoefer

The annual Indiana March for Life and associated events will take place on Jan. 22, in Indianapolis.

Youths and pro-life advocates from all five of Indiana’s dioceses will participate in the event, which solemnly commemorates the date in 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion across the country.

The Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization returned the legal issue of abortion back to individual states. On Aug. 1, 2023, a law abolishing most abortions went into effect in Indiana.

So why the need to continue the Indiana March for Life? To create “a common voice and witness to the Church’s long-standing, Christ-centered teaching on the dignity of the person from the moment of conception to natural death,” said Archbishop Charles C. Thompson in an interview with The Criterion about the 2024 event.

Sister Mary Grace of the Sisters of Life noted the importance of the Indiana March for Life at the 2024 post-March rally.

“You’re like a lighthouse for the nation,” she told the enthusiastic crowd. “Why? Because you hold out hope to the entire country that a culture of life is still possible. … No evil, no dark storm, no trial can destroy the walls of a unified state. So, we thank you, Indiana, for showing every state how it’s done.”

The Indiana March for Life serves as a witness to the sanctity of life from conception to natural death in a country where, according to a Guttmacher Institute report released in March, 1,026,700 abortions occurred in 2023.

Schedule of events

The event schedule is the same as last year’s schedule, starting with a morning youth rally followed by a Mass for Life.

“The main coordinating body is the Archdiocese of Indianapolis,” says Brie Anne Varick, director of the archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity, who helped coordinate the event.

“But for the youth rally, there is involvement from all five Indiana dioceses, and financially all of the dioceses have contributed, so they are the main sponsors.”

The day starts with a youth rally from 9-11 a.m. in the Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. Youths in grades eight-12 from throughout the state will be “inspired, equipped, and empowered to be missionary disciples of the Gospel of Life,” says Varick.

Catholic radio host, author and speaker Katie Prejean McGrady will address the youths during the rally, with music by the Sarah Kroger Band. The sacrament of reconciliation will also be available.

The youth rally is free, but registration is required at archindyym.com/youth-rally-for-life.

Following the rally, all are invited to worship at a Mass for Life at 11:30 a.m. in the convention center, concelebrated by four of Indiana’s five bishops, (Bishop Robert J. McClory of the Gary Diocese is unable to attend.) No registration is required to worship at the Mass.

Right to Life of Indianapolis is coordinating the remaining events of the day—a pre-march rally, the Indiana March for Life and a post-march rally.

The pre-march rally with pro-life speakers will take place at 1 p.m. at the corner of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue.

The Indiana March for Life will begin at 1:45 p.m. at the corner of Georgia and Illinois streets. It will conclude with a rally on the south steps of the Statehouse from 2:30-3 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist Parish, 126 W. Georgia St. across from the convention center, is offering pre-ordered $10 box lunches, which can be picked up between noon-1 p.m. on the day of the event. Lunches can be ordered at cutt.ly/INMFLLunch2025. The deadline to order is Jan. 15.

For more information, including about parking, go to cutt.ly/INMFL2025. †