Youth from across The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington are invited to participate in a special Youth Mass for Life on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. The event will gather young people from local schools, youth ministries, and parish groups to worship in celebration and thanksgiving for the gift of life.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory will preside at the Mass, offering young Catholics a chance to unite in prayer before participating in the 2025 national March for Life, held later that day on the National Mall.
Cardinal Gregory to Lead 2025 Youth Mass
For youth groups within the Archdiocese of Washington, the Office of Youth Ministry coordinates participation in the Mass. Those interested in attending are encouraged to reach out with their parish name, city, and contact information for the group leader responsible for registration.
The schedule for that archdiocesan March for Life event includes doors opening at the cathedral at 7 a.m., followed by music, witness talks, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation beginning at 8 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration will start at 9 a.m., with a question-and-answer session with Cardinal Gregory at 9:30 a.m., followed by another witness talk at 10 a.m. The Youth Mass for Life is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
Welcoming pilgrims: Mass and prayer opportunities in the Archdiocese of Washington
The Archdiocese of Washington welcomes pilgrims from other dioceses who will visit Washington, D.C., to participate in the national March for Life. Many local parishes will celebrate Masses on Jan. 24 to accommodate visiting groups. Travelers are encouraged to use the Parish Mass Finder on the Archdiocese of Washington’s website to locate nearby Masses and confirm schedules.
Pilgrims are also invited to join the 2025 National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a longstanding tradition for those gathering in the nation’s capital. The Vigil begins with the Opening Mass at 5 p.m. on Jan. 23 in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica, followed by the National Holy Hour for Life from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The vigil concludes with the Closing Mass at 8 a.m. on Jan. 24.
Building a Culture of Life in a Post-Roe Era
The 52nd annual March for Life theme, “Life: Why We March,” highlights the dignity of every human life and calls for perseverance and unity within the pro-life movement. In a press release dated Oct. 10, 2024, Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, and President-elect Jennie Bradley Lichter announced the theme, which reflects the movement’s mission and dedication to protecting life. The March for Life envisions a future where every human life is valued and protected and works to achieve this by uniting, educating, and mobilizing individuals to end abortion. The day’s events include a pre-rally concert featuring the American Christian group, Unspoken Band, at 11 a.m., followed by a rally at noon and the March for Life starting at 1 p.m.
While the exact route for the 2025 March for Life has not been publicly disclosed yet, historically, the march proceeds from the National Mall near the Washington Monument, along Constitution Avenue, N.W., turns right at First Street NE, and concludes at the steps of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, the pro-life movement has faced legislative debates at state and federal levels, as well as challenges such as attacks on pregnancy resource centers and misinformation about pro-life policies. The overturning of Roe has allowed states greater freedom to enact pro-life laws, but advocates say the effort to build a culture of life in the United States is ongoing. Each year, more than 900,000 abortions are performed, a number expected to decrease by about 200,000 annually in a post-Roe era. National legislative battles also persist, including efforts to uphold Hyde Amendment protections, which proponents say have saved more than 2 million lives by restricting federal funding for abortion. The March for Life continues to focus on changing laws and transforming the culture, with a goal of creating a future where abortion is not only illegal but unthinkable.
The 52nd March for Life, scheduled for Jan. 24, 2025, will feature keynote speaker Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer, author, and motivational speaker known for her story of resilience and faith after losing her arm to a shark attack at age 13.
For more information about the Archdiocese of Washington’s Youth Mass for Life or other local events, including Jubilee Churches for Pilgrims of Hope and the Holy Year 2025, visit adw.org.
