Rain and fog could not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of thousands of pro-life supporters who attended the Jan. 23 March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Even before the March began, an estimated 20,000 young Catholics showed their resolve through a National Prayer Vigil for Life, which included an opening Mass Jan. 22, a closing Mass Jan. 23 and Holy Hours and confessions in between at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
During his homily at the opening Mass, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, noted the zeal that many young people have for the protection of life, and urged them to remain steadfast in their beliefs.
Of course, the nation’s capital was not the only site of pro-life strength. Tens of thousands marched in downtown San Francisco on Jan. 21, and smaller gatherings were held elsewhere in the country.
Catholic photographer Jeffrey Bruno provided this photo essay of the March for Life events in Washington.