March for Life 2018 is only weeks away and in addition to an impressive line up of speakers, local bishops have extended a plenary indulgence to anyone attending the March who meets the usual requirements.
The 45th annual March for Life, which is the world’s largest annual pro-life demonstration, will take place in Washington DC on January 19. The theme for this year is, “Love Saves Lives.”
The day’s events will open with music by Plumb! at 11:30 a.m. on the National Mall followed by the 12 noon rally which will feature an impressive lineup of speakers. NFL/MLB star Tim Tebow’s mother Pam Tebow will speak, along with former NFL player Matt Birk and his wife Adrianna, U.S. Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Sr. Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life.
“We are thrilled to have such an outstanding group of speakers with such inspirational stories join us this year at the 45th annual March for Life,” said Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life. “Each of these speakers bear witness to this year’s theme ‘Love Saves Lives’ in a unique and powerful way that is sure to resonate with the hundreds of thousands of pro-life Americans from across the country who will be coming to march in defense of life this year. We look forward to hearing how love has empowered each speaker to create a culture of life within their individual communities and platforms.”
The March will begin at 1:00 p.m. when marchers will walk along Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court and Capitol building. Silent No More testimonies will take place outside the U.S. Supreme Court and marchers are encouraged to advocate for life at the offices of their Representatives and Senators.
Marchers can also visit the March for Life Expo at the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel on Ninth Street where they can connect with pro-life organizations and ministries. Marchers can get their #WhyWeMarch photo taken at the March for Life photo booth, sign up to volunteer with pro-life ministries in their local communities and pick up their pro-life tee-shirts and SWAG. Best of all, everything is free!
In addition, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington and Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington have announced that the Catholic faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by participating in the 2018 March for Life if they are “truly penitential and compelled by charity.”
As LifeSiteNews.com reports, the normal conditions for a plenary indulgence would have to be met for the indulgence to be granted, such as detachment from sin, sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist and prayer for the pope’s intentions within eight days of attending the March for Life events.
“The aged, sick and all those who due to grave reason are not able to leave home will be equally able to obtain a plenary Indulgence” if they unite themselves spiritually to the March for Life and fulfill the remaining conditions as soon as they are able, the bishops decreed.
They must also “spiritually join themselves to the holy ceremonies, while also having offered prayers and their sufferings or the ailments of their own life to the merciful God.”
Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, told LifeSite that he was delighted to learn of the offer of the indulgence for March for Life attendees.
“The opportunity to gain the indulgence reflects the fact that those who march for life are making a sacrifice motivated by love for their unborn neighbors,” Fr. Pavone said. “Moreover, it reflects the fact that the pro-life movement is not simply a response to Roe v. Wade; it is a response to Jesus Christ.”
Click here for more information about the March.
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