Pro-life advocates across New Jersey are gearing up for the second annual statewide Mass, Rally and March for Life, beginning Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m. with Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The Mass will also be livestreamed at YouTube.com/trentondiocese and on the Diocesan Facebook page.
Sponsored by the New Jersey Catholic Conference and pro-life offices of each New Jersey diocese, the Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who will be joined by other New Jersey bishops and priests. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, will be the homilist.
“We are most grateful to start the day at Mass with Bishop O’Connell,” said Rachel Hendricks, diocesan coordinator of respect life ministry. “The Bishop serves our Diocese and our state in a unique way, as our state capitol is a place where the deeply connected elements of faith, culture and politics converge. [The] Bishop helps the faithful to recognize our responsibility to connect our faith with all other aspects of our lives, particularly in the public square.”
As in 2024, the Mass will be followed at 11 a.m. by a Rally at the Statehouse Annex a few blocks from the Cathedral, and a 12 p.m. March for Life, organized by New Jersey Right to Life and the National March for Life organizations, with support from dioceses in the state and other New Jersey pro-life organizations and groups.
“This statewide Mass for Life along with the Rally and March that will follow offer a unique and important opportunity for New Jerseyans to stand together, guided by our bishops in prayer and solidarity for the dignity of every human person, especially for the most vulnerable, the unborn,” Hendricks said.
Students from Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Rally.
The National March for Life has been gathering pro-life supporters from all around the United States and beyond on or near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade since 1974, the year after the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion at the federal level. More recently, large state marches have been organized, especially in states where there are very few protections for the unborn.
“Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which shifted the abortion issue to the states, it’s more important than ever to gather in this way to show our local leaders that the people of New Jersey want to build a life-affirming, family-affirming culture,” Hendricks said. “It is fitting that we start the day at Mass, centering our efforts in the Gospel message which teaches the sanctity of every human life and the duty of all Catholics to serve, protect and defend the weakest and most vulnerable.”
Last year marked the first large scale New Jersey Rally and March in collaboration with the National March for Life team. “As faithful citizens, we are guided by our bishops to take our faith to the public square in union with all people of good will to voice our support of laws … that protect the unborn,” Hendricks continued, “to assist pregnant and parenting mothers in need and encourage active fatherhood and intact families.”
While the day will focus mainly on protecting the unborn and vulnerable pregnant mothers, “we also recognize the need for more broad supports for vulnerable families and children,” she emphasized. “We need to be ‘pro-life’ in the fullest sense possible.”
That attitude, Hendricks explained, includes pastoral outreach to the millions of people who have been negatively impacted by involvement in an abortion.
“We must stand at the ready to offer pathways to healing, restoration and hope for the many wounded in the wake of New Jersey’s abortion permissive culture,” she said.
St. Mary Cathedral is located at 151 N. Warren Street. Bus travel to the Mass and following events is preferred due to parking and logistics for the day. For more information, including bus registration and parking, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/nj-march-for-life.
Pro-life directors discuss New Jersey Mass & March for Life