Catholics and people of good will from across the state will gather in prayer and public witness for the unborn during a day of events Oct. 8 in Trenton at a pivotal time for the pro-life movement.
“Catholics in New Jersey live in the very challenging reality of [an] extreme abortion-permissive culture, which is even more reason for us to gather in Trenton in force as a united front, under the prayerful leadership of all our bishops,” said Rachel Hendricks, diocesan coordinator of respect life ministry.
The first stop for the faithful will be the NJ Bishops’ Mass for Life. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Diocese of Trenton, will be the host and principal celebrant of the Mass, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau of the Archdiocese of Newark will serve as the homilist.
This year’s Mass marks the third in a series launched in 2024 and provides the liturgical foundation for a day of action that culminates in the NJ Rally and March for Life.
“We are excited for the 2026 NJ Bishops’ Mass for Life to build on the inspiration and solidarity we enjoyed over the first two years at this special Mass,” Hendricks said. “This year we are confident that the momentum will continue both in the numbers of people who will attend and in their desire to pray, give witness to the sanctity of the unborn and to do all we can to end the scourge of abortion.”
Supporters will take to the streets for the rally beginning at 11 a.m. at the NJ Statehouse Annex, situated near the Cathedral. This year’s speaker roster includes keynote speaker Jean Marie Davis, executive director of Branches Family Resource Center, and Marie Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life.
The march will begin at noon, following a looping route through Trenton’s downtown before returning to the Statehouse Annex.
Emphasizing the importance of the event, Hendricks pointed to developments in the state’s legislation. “In recent months, many New Jersey Catholics and people of goodwill have been especially disturbed by a newly passed law that further enshrines abortion access in our state,” she said, referring to S2260/A2218, the reproductive health care shield bill. “Some of the language in this law could be interpreted to make it a crime to have prayerful presence in public accessways in front of or near an abortion clinic,” she said.
“In addition, Bishop O’Connell recently issued an endorsement of the USCCB’s call to action and prayer regarding the widespread use of abortion pills” such as mifepristone, Hendricks added.
Sponsors of the Mass, Rally and March for Life include the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Trenton’s Department of Evangelization and Family Life, in collaboration with the NJ Catholic Conference and pro-life/human dignity offices from the state’s other four Catholic dioceses and a representative from the Knights of Columbus. The March for Life is organized by NJ Right to Life in partnership with the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey and the national March for Life.
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral is located at 151 N. Warren Street. Registration is not required but is encouraged for updates about developments and details. For more information, including planning car and bus parking arrangements, go to dioceseoftrenton.org/nj-march-for-life.