By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
For James Ryan, a junior in Red Bank Catholic High School, the experience of participating in the 2026 March for Life left him filled with hope.
The most meaningful part of the Jan. 23 event in Washington D.C., Ryan said, was seeing “the many people spending their entire Friday dedicated to supporting and voicing for those who needed to be heard in a time where voices are mostly silenced.”
“It was the act of people giving hope to those who lost hope, and the courage to give others a chance at life,” he said. “Life is created for a reason and it shouldn’t be taken away so easily.”
Ryan was among the faithful of all ages from around the four-county Diocese of Trenton who, along with tens of thousands from across the nation, converged on the U.S. capital for the 53rd March for Life. The event was held the day after the anniversary of the now overturned Jan. 22, 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in all 50 states. It was a day to echo the call for the protection of all human life and an end to abortion.
Signs of Hope
“The one thing I can share to encourage people to join the March is that it’s not about how much your impact is in one night; it is about the persistence and the dedication to keep going over time and to never lose hope,” Ryan said. “The only time I will ever lose hope is when God stops having hope in us, and it is a good thing God will never lose hope in anybody or anything.”
Deb Flego, moderator of Red Bank Catholic High School’s Respect Life Club, Caseys4Life, accompanied 42 students to Washington. She has attended The March for Life in D.C. faithfully, weather permitting, since 2011, and each year “it proves to be the most beautiful, peaceful witness for life,” she said.
She added that her greatest joy is watching the students “see families, young priests and nuns, people of all ages from all over the country singing, laughing and celebrating life no matter what their circumstances.” She added that “some have survived the unthinkable, and by the grace of God and the support of one another, have grown stronger and more grateful for God’s greatest gift.”
“The students who attended will not forget the experience,” Flego said. “They may still be learning and questioning life issues because people they know and love may feel differently, but seeds were planted and they felt supported in their beliefs.”
DOT Strong!
Local parishes shared in bus travel arrangements to Washington, including five from southern Burlington County; several from northern Monmouth County, and a mix of parishioners from several counties riding out of Mercer County. Father Zack Swantek, Catholic chaplain at the Aquinas Institute in Princeton University, brought a group of students to attend.
Going to the March was something Lisa Flynn of St. Joseph Parish, Millstone Township, had wanted to do for a long time. And when she unexpectedly saw a trip to the March listed in a church bulletin, she said “it felt like a sign from God that the time was right.”
Flynn said it was most meaningful to see the many high school and college students participating.
“It gave me a powerful sense of hope for the next generation showing that young people are willing to stand up for life with conviction and courage,” she said. “Being surrounded by others who share the same values reminded me that even small acts of witness can be part of a greater mission rooted in love, compassion and trust for God.”
To see and be seen
Around Washington, marchers from several Monmouth County parishes were easily spotted by their red ski caps with the name of their parish boldly printed across the cuff. Part of the group’s day was spent in the Capitol building where they were greeted by Congressman Chris Smith, who represents parts of Ocean and Monmouth Counties. The Congressman is native to the Trenton Diocese and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting.
Jenny Dela Pena of St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, explained her reasons for attending the March for Life multiple times.
“The word ‘life’ is a divine gift that I treasure.” She added, “I want to deepen my relationship with God in regard to my own life, my own medical profession and to understand the mystery of life,” she said. She encouraged all supporters of life to “open your hearts to accept God in your life and the Holy Spirit will guide you and lead you to a right path”
Rich Pieslak of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, is a staunch supporter of the pro-life movement, saying that “being pro-life is an integral part of our Catholic faith, and is not about just attending the March once a year but throughout the year.”
He invited “pro-lifers” to be active in supporting women’s crisis pregnancy centers, being sidewalk advocates or volunteers, providing material or financial support, advocating for pro-life legislation and against legislation that supports and expands abortion – particularly in New Jersey, praying the Rosary and participating in 40-days for life, etc.
Kim Jaramillo of St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, concurred saying, that being pro-life “also means to care about all the other social issues threatening our human dignity in today’s world.”