WASHINGTON – Kelly Reyes Morales, 18, a senior at Cristo Rey Columbus High School, might have traveled to the annual March for Life to support others’ lives, but the trip ended up changing her own.
It was Reyes Morales’ first year participating in the annual march. She expressed hopes that it is not her last.
“The experience is definitely life changing,” she said.
“Visiting the shrine of St. John Paul II and visiting the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception … I feel like it definitely has enhanced my personal Catholic faith. I feel like everything has definitely changed me as a person, and I hope that, with this journey, I continue on in my Catholic faith.
“Being here with a few of my students from school … helps me connect with them and with God more. This whole thing has brought us closer, and that’s one thing that I’m very grateful for.”
More than 100 students from the Columbus diocese’s Catholic schools made a multi-day pilgrimage to the nation’s capital for the country’s 53rd annual March for Life.
The first march was held Jan. 22, 1974, a year after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade (1973) decision that declared a constitutional right to abortion. Every year since, faithful across the country have congregated in the nation’s capital to demonstrate unwavering support for life.
The national event, held Friday, Jan. 23 this year, drew youth from various dioceses. The young were eager to demonstrate their pro-life beliefs, including many from the Columbus diocese.
In the hours leading up to the march, diocesan students gathered in school groups near the National Mall, preparing to head down Constitution Avenue. Many held signs and waved school flags as they anticipated making their way to the U.S. Supreme Court building.
Being pro-life as a teenager undoubtedly has its difficulties.
In Ohio, youth are growing up in a state that voted to legalize abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. While state law fails to protect all life, several diocesan students emphasized their full support.
“I wanted to come on the march, one, because I’ve never been in D.C., but also, more importantly, because I respect human life,” said Samantha Spearman, 18, a senior at Newark Catholic High School.
She made the pilgrimage with several of her classmates.
“Everyone has their own opinion, and we have to respect it,” she acknowledged, “but we’re taught as Catholics to respect all human life.”
Supporting life, even as a Catholic school student, can be challenging.
Maggie Fouts, 18, a senior at Columbus Bishop Hartley High School, was encouraged by the number of youth at the March for Life. She noted that supporting life as a young person is not always popular.
“At our school, it’s kind of hard to find people who support this, but seeing all these people, especially so many young people come, gives a lot of hope for the future generation,” she said.
“I’m really blessed to be here. This is my fourth year coming, to speak for the people who don’t have a voice and the most vulnerable, and also for the mothers who feel like they don’t have any other choice but to abort their children, that they do.”
Data from the Charlotte Lozier Institute released last year affirmed that nearly 70 percent of abortions are coerced or unwanted. About 60 percent of women, the study found, would prefer to give birth with sufficient support.
A 2023 analysis published by Cureus noted that six-in-10 women attributed their abortion decision to high levels of pressure from partners, family members and circumstances.
“Seeing this in the world, it makes me think more about how I’m grateful that God gave me this day, life …being able to come here and support the children who couldn’t talk,” reflected Joel Valverde, 17, a junior at Columbus Bishop Ready High School.
Opportunities to spend time in prayer in Washington for the March for Life was a positive experience for several students.
Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrated Masses during the pilgrimage at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine on Jan. 22, the national Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn, and in the underground crypt church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Jan. 23 ahead of the march.
Students had opportunities to explore the shrines, including chapels, relics and holy art.
Diocesan Masses with Bishop Fernandes were a highlight. Several diocesan seminarians, clergy and consecrated religious were present.
“There’s something so beautiful about the Mass,” said Camille Hoffman, 18, a senior at Bishop Hartley High School. “You see all the people who are there who believe in life and believe in Jesus, and it’s just really empowering.
“That group of people, you don’t see it a lot, but seeing us all come together, it kind of gives a hope for the future.”