By David Karas | Correspondent

With the 40th annual March for Life in Washington rapidly approaching, Catholics and parishes across the diocese are making preparations to participate in the movement.

The march, held immediately after a rally on the National Mall, has become an annual staple for those engaged in campaigns to protect and respect life across the country.

This year’s event will be held in the nation’s capitol Jan. 25, and will follow the customary path down Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill.

More than 20 buses, organized by individual parishes and Knights of Columbus councils, will leave from all corners of the diocese to shepherd faithful to the march.

A list of buses and departure times and locations can be found on page 40 of this issue.

There will also be a number of youth groups traveling to Washington to take part in a morning Mass prior to the rally and march.

This year, the diocesan Respect Life Ministries office will be offering gold-colored fleece scarves, adorned with the diocesan logo, to participants. The scarves, which will be sold for $5 each on buses traveling to the capitol, will allow participants to walk together and be identified as members of the Diocese of Trenton.

Donna Goodwin, coordinator of diocesan Respect Life Ministries, said that the annual movement is a vital portion of the yearlong efforts to protect life.

“When I attend every year, it really reinforces the fact that I am not alone in my belief, and that life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death,” she said. “When I see thousands and thousands of people there, it really inspires me.”

She said that the program is impressive because it not only attracts faithful from near and far, but also those of all ages.

“There are so many people that travel from all over the country to be there,” she said. “(And) there are so many young people there.”