St. Augustine, Fla. – 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 abortion on Jan. 22, 1973.
The largest event for the month is the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This year’s 46th annual March for Life is Friday, Jan. 15 at the National Mall. The event will begin with political commentator and writer Ben Shapiro who will conduct a live podcast on stage, followed by a performance by the Sidewalk Prophets. At 1 p.m., protesters will join the largest human rights demonstration in the world by marching up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court and U. S. Capitol to protest abortion. Several young people from the Diocese of St. Augustine will participate.
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 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.
On Saturday at 9 a.m., Bishop Felipe J. Estevez will celebrate Mass at the shrine. Afterward, those gathered will have an opportunity to visit information booths and listen to live music.
At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, a peaceful march will begin at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche on San Marco Blvd. to the Plaza de la Constitution in historic downtown St. Augustine 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 established to help people understand their God-given purpose.
From noon to 4 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will sell spaghetti dinners for marchers at 259 St. George Street.
For more information, visit www.marchforlifestaugustine.com or call May Oliver at (904) 262-3200, ext. 159.
DATE: January 2, 2019
CONTACT: Kathleen Bagg
(904) 262-1705/office
(904) 434-3909/cell