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January Pro-Life Activities to Commemorate Roe v. Wade

Year-long efforts by pro-life Catholics and others come together in January to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized the practice of abortion on Jan. 22, 1973.

Photo by St. Augustine Catholic/Woody Huband

The largest event for the month is the 4th Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. For those looking to support the sanctity and dignity of human life but can’t travel to Washington D.C., the 13th Annual March for Life St. Augustine will take place Jan. 11-12.

The Friday night kick-off in collaboration with Rise Up will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Blvd., St. Augustine. Following Mass, there will be food trucks, a concert, speakers, Adoration, and an illuminated living rosary.

The March for Life will continue Saturday morning at 9 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Felipe Estévez at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. After Mass, there will be live music and information booths. At 10:30 a.m., a peaceful march will begin at the shrine to the Plaza de la Constitution where participants will hear keynote speaker Ryan Bomberger.

Bomberger is an international public speaker, citizen journalist, author of Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong and co-founder of The Radiance Foundation, a life-affirming organization built to help people understand their God-given purpose.

Photo by St. Augustine Catholic/Woody Huband

From noon to 4 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will sell spaghetti dinners for marchers at 259 St. George Street. Everyone is encouraged to bring diapers to distribute to pregnancy centers in need. If parking is full at the Shrine, check out the city’s parking garage, located half a mile south of the Shrine, for $15 dollars a day. The March for Life team recommends The Ponce Hotel if you need overnight accommodations. For more information, visit www.marchforlifestaugustine.com.

Another local pro-life event happening in January is the Stand for Life, observed Tuesday, Jan. 22, starting with Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at 11 a.m., followed by a prayerful march from noon to 1 p.m. at the U.S. Federal Court House, 300 N. Hogan Street. For more information, email Tom Masters at tommie1@bellsouth.net.