Once again, this year, almost 40 students from Montrose, along with many chaperones, traveled to Washington, D.C. on a pilgrimage to the 2026 National March for Life. Many others from various states and countries, each with unique backstories, joined in on the 53rd annual march, creating a louder voice to communicate the need to stand up for all life and end abortion in America. The march was held on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, a ruling that did not legalize the right to an abortion but instead gave each state the decision to have the right to an abortion or not. Even though this was one huge step closer to ending all abortion, there is still much reason to continue marching to the Supreme Court and U.S. Capitol building in an effort to completely make abortion illegal and unthinkable.  

Traveling by bus for many hours, we departed from Montrose and arrived near D.C. in the evening to attend the Life is Very Good rally to hype us up about how very good life is before heading to the March for Life the next day. On the way to the march, we were very excited to stop at Oakcrest school for Mass with students at Oakcrest who were also attending the March for Life.

Before the march began, we got to experience the March for Life rally right before, featuring uplifting worship music and many motivational speakers, including Vice President JD Vance, who spoke for the second time at the march. Right from the start of the rally, we knew that the day would be very inspirational and empowering for both young and old and it was. The march was an amazing experience for all and whether it was your first or fifth time at the march, everyone was left with a new fire ignited in them to continue spreading the pro life message. 

Before we traveled back home, we visited the St. John Paul II shrine and learned more about him and his beautiful work. We also were able to walk to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where we had Mass in the crypt of the Basilica and learned about the intention behind the beautiful art.

Finally, we departed home, leaving having had an exciting experience bonding with old and new friends and a more deeper and transformative experience that we will continue to carry with us throughout our life. A big thank you to Mrs. Rose for organizing this meaningful trip and to all the chaperones for putting so much work into making this trip how it turned out!