East Coast Students March for Life 2022 in Nation’s Capital

As the students of Thomas Aquinas College, California, departed for this year’s Walk for Life in San Francisco, their counterpart in New England participated in the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., for the second time in campus history. 

“The fact that the College is willing to take a day off for the March shows the priority of the College and its recognition of the most primary issue of its time,” said Head Chaplain Rev. Greg Markey, who accompanied the students.  

After seminar classes on Thursday evening, students from the New England campus, joined by members of the faculty and their families, embarked on the 400-mile, seven-hour pilgrimage to the nation’s capital. They joined tens of thousands of pro-life demonstrators, making the case for life as the U.S. Supreme Court considers Dobbs v. Jackson, a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade — the decades-old precedent that imposed legal abortion upon the country.

“It is always important for us to attend the March for Life to represent the immense Catholic community at Thomas Aquinas College and step up for our beliefs,” said senior Sarah Preciado. “We hoped to show that Thomas Aquinas College, New England, gives witness to the most important values in our faith.”

After a restless night of traveling, students arrived at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Hyattsville, Maryland, at 5:30 a.m. They attended Mass and shared breakfast before hopping on the Metro toward the National Mall for the Rally and March for Life. 

From chanting the Salve Regina to praying the Holy Rosary, the College’s students shared their joy and affability as they weathered the frigid gusts and lack of sleep. 

“I think it is important for all of us to be here and celebrate the gift of life. I think it is also a joy to see so many young people all here for one common goal and be on the same page,” freshman Sam Peterson told a reporter from The Daily Guide.

All throughout the March, alumni and friends of the College cheered as they recognized the crimson sea of students’ hats.

“I think these students are heroes,” said Fr. Markey. “They sacrificed their sleep for two nights and they were in the cold the entire time. They are all contributing to the culture of life, because times do not change if people are not willing to make sacrifices.”

As the March concluded, students spent the rest of their Friday evening touring the National Mall and the surrounding area. The group then departed for St. John the Beloved Roman Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia, to retire for the evening — very grateful for the parish’s hospitality and fellowship. 

The next morning, students ventured around the nation’s capital as they visited the Washington Monument and the White House. Buses then departed Washington, D.C., and arrived in Northfield, Massachusetts, late in the evening. Students returned with excitement to continue their pro-life mission and to help bring about an end to abortion.