By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
Two events planned in Trenton Sept. 26 will allow pro-life advocates from across the state a chance to show unwavering support for life – first by praying for the lives of the unborn and the mothers who carry them, and secondly by showing lawmakers their desire for policies that protect life in all its stages.
Beginning in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 151 N. Warren Street, New Jersey Catholics are invited to a 9:30 a.m. Mass for Life with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark as main celebrant and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as homilist. The Mass is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Catholic Conference – the New Jersey bishops’ public policy arm – and the pro-life/respect life offices from the Archdiocese of Newark and Dioceses of Trenton, Camden, Metuchen and Paterson, as well as the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic.
No RSVP is required for Mass attendance; however, seating at the Cathedral will be available on a first come, first served basis; overflow seating will be available in the lower level with livestreamed viewing on large screens. Catholic priests of the Diocese of Trenton interested in concelebrating the Mass are invited to visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/nj-mass-march-clergy and complete the response form.
Following Mass, the inaugural New Jersey Rally and March for Life will kick off at the New Jersey Statehouse Annex, 131 W. State Street – a short walk from the Cathedral. Keynote speakers will address attendees from the Statehouse steps beginning at 11 a.m. From there, the March for Life will depart at 12 p.m., following a one-mile loop through Trenton and returning to the Statehouse Annex.
Schools, organizations, parishes and individuals are encouraged to utilize chartered school bus travel, as parking for individual cars will be limited due to road closures for the event. Buses are strongly encouraged to register with March for Life organizers to ensure free parking in a reserved lot and to assist organizers with logistics; visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/nj-march-for-life for full information about the day’s events, including bus registration and much more.
The Rally and March for Life will serve as public witness to the desire for life in all its stages to receive equal protection under the law and help advocate for state legislation and policies that support mothers, babies and families. Organized by the National March for Life and New Jersey Right to Life, representatives from the Diocese of Trenton’s Respect Life Ministry, as well as representatives from other NJ dioceses and pro-life organizations in the state, this first New Jersey March for Life was planned in response to New Jersey’s being one of many states that continue to espouse pro-choice legislation; the National March for Life has mobilized efforts to hold state marches for life in these states.
To read The Monitor’s July 2024 Respect Life section on the post-Dobbs response, click HERE.