First annual NJ statewide Mass and March for Life poised to draw thousands to Trenton
September 9, 2024 at 8:29 p.m.
Anticipation is growing as pro-life advocates from across New Jersey prepare to convene in the state capitol as peaceful witnesses for New Jersey’s first annual Mass for Life and March for Life Sept. 26.
New Jersey joins 14 other states that have held or plan to hold large-scale Marches for Life since the Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. In previous years, the Mass for Life and Rally/March at the New Jersey State House was held near the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade. With a move to September and a wider invitation to all New Jersey pro-life advocates as well as Catholic parishes and schools across the state, organizers expect a much larger turnout.
At least 12 bishops are expected concelebrate the Mass for Life at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark as main celebrant and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as homilist. A livestream of the Mass will be available in English and Spanish on the diocesan YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/trentondiocese . The bishops will be joined by at least 16 priests of the Diocese of Trenton and additional clergy from the co-sponsoring Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Paterson.
The Rally for Life kicks off at 11 a.m. at the State House Annex, less than half a mile from the Cathedral, 125 W. State Street. Diocese of Paterson Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will lead the Rally opening prayer, and students of St. Ann School, Lawrenceville, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The March for Life will follow at 12 p.m. and will complete an approximately one-mile loop. Lawrenceville’s Notre Dame High School community will lead the procession with a March for Life banner.
Rally speakers will include a variety of notable pro-life advocates, including a woman who survived a saline abortion, medical personnel, pregnancy resource center leaders, representatives from the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, national and state Right to Life groups, and more. A full speaker list is available at https://marchforlife.org/newjersey/.
IF YOU PLAN TO GO:
• Updates and complete information: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/nj-march-for-life.
• Arrive early for the Mass (8:45 a.m.) to assure parking and seating are available.
• Transportation via bus is still available; some buses will arrive in time for the Mass, and others will arrive later for the 11 a.m. Rally and March for Life at the State House. To view buses that still have open seats, visit https://marchforlife.org/newjersey/.
• Public parking garages near the Cathedral are available for passenger cars for a fee; visit https://www.trenton-downtown.com/about/services#parking for more information. No public parking will be available in the Cathedral lot, as these spaces will be reserved for clergy and those assisting with the liturgy.
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Anticipation is growing as pro-life advocates from across New Jersey prepare to convene in the state capitol as peaceful witnesses for New Jersey’s first annual Mass for Life and March for Life Sept. 26.
New Jersey joins 14 other states that have held or plan to hold large-scale Marches for Life since the Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. In previous years, the Mass for Life and Rally/March at the New Jersey State House was held near the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade. With a move to September and a wider invitation to all New Jersey pro-life advocates as well as Catholic parishes and schools across the state, organizers expect a much larger turnout.
At least 12 bishops are expected concelebrate the Mass for Life at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark as main celebrant and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as homilist. A livestream of the Mass will be available in English and Spanish on the diocesan YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/trentondiocese . The bishops will be joined by at least 16 priests of the Diocese of Trenton and additional clergy from the co-sponsoring Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Paterson.
The Rally for Life kicks off at 11 a.m. at the State House Annex, less than half a mile from the Cathedral, 125 W. State Street. Diocese of Paterson Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will lead the Rally opening prayer, and students of St. Ann School, Lawrenceville, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The March for Life will follow at 12 p.m. and will complete an approximately one-mile loop. Lawrenceville’s Notre Dame High School community will lead the procession with a March for Life banner.
Rally speakers will include a variety of notable pro-life advocates, including a woman who survived a saline abortion, medical personnel, pregnancy resource center leaders, representatives from the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, national and state Right to Life groups, and more. A full speaker list is available at https://marchforlife.org/newjersey/.
IF YOU PLAN TO GO:
• Updates and complete information: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/nj-march-for-life.
• Arrive early for the Mass (8:45 a.m.) to assure parking and seating are available.
• Transportation via bus is still available; some buses will arrive in time for the Mass, and others will arrive later for the 11 a.m. Rally and March for Life at the State House. To view buses that still have open seats, visit https://marchforlife.org/newjersey/.
• Public parking garages near the Cathedral are available for passenger cars for a fee; visit https://www.trenton-downtown.com/about/services#parking for more information. No public parking will be available in the Cathedral lot, as these spaces will be reserved for clergy and those assisting with the liturgy.