MANSFIELD, Ohio–Ten Mansfield St. Peter’s students and three Lexington students participated in the largest pro-life event in the world Thursday, Jan. 22–the 42nd annual March for Life.
March for Life draws tens of thousands of youth and pro-life supporters from across the country each year to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. The march begins at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and concludes at the U.S. Supreme Court building.
Elizabeth Wurm, director of religious education and youth minister at St. Peter’s, said this is the third year that St. Peter’s has organized a group to attend this event.
“We go because one of the components of our faith tells us to stand up for the defense of life from the moment of conception to natural death,” Wurm said.
Jacob Randall and Claire Phillips, St. Peter’s High School students, took part in the march last year and said they were amazed by the number of people who participated. Phillips said she found comfort in the fact that several other people share the same belief as her.
St. Peter’s freshman Jacob Stewart said he wanted to attend the march for the first time this year in support of a good cause.
St. Peter’s sophomore Nathan Freshwater, another first-time attendee, said, “I thought it would be good to support a cause that I defend.”
The students left for Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night and will return to Mansfield on Sunday night.
Wurm said they will be marching with Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo. The march is 1.1 miles, but Wurm said it takes hours to complete because of all the people who participate.
In addition to the march, the students will partake in some sightseeing throughout the nation’s capital and will also have the distinct honor of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Their trip is sponsored by the Bucyrus Knights of Columbus Council #711.
