Jan. 19, 6 a.m.
The second annual Life Fest kicks off with musical group Damascus Worship hitting the stage at the D.C. Armory in our nation’s capital. Life Fest is hosted by the Sisters of Life and Knights of Columbus.
Speakers at Life Fest include Sister Pia Jude and Sister Luca Benedict — Sisters of Life who also happen to be twin sisters — Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Sarah Kroger, Monsignor James Shea, and more.
The relics of the Ulma family are also available for veneration at the event. Polish couple Jozef and Wiktoria and their seven children, including an unborn baby, were killed by Nazis for sheltering Jews. The family was beatified on Sept.10, 2023.
Relics of the Ulma family, Jozef and Wiktoria and their seven children, including an unborn baby, who were killed by Nazis for sheltering Jews, were available to venerate at Life Fest. The family was beatified on September 10, 2023. #WhyWeMarch #ewtnprolife pic.twitter.com/sjLFir20dI
— EWTN Pro-Life Weekly (@EWTNProLife) January 19, 2024
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Jan. 18, 5 p.m.
Thousands of pilgrims from across the nation gather at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., for the opening Mass in the National Prayer Vigil for Life. The main celebrant of the Mass is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the nearby Arlington Diocese, head of the USCCB’s Pro-Life Activities Committee.
It was standing room only at the basilica as young people fill both the upper church and lower church as well as the side chapels.
At this year’s March for Life vigil Mass in Washington, D.C., Burbidge calls on those gathered in the packed basilica to “bring light to the darkest corners.”
It’s standing room only at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the national prayer vigil! The upper church and lower church, along with side chapels, are filled with pro-lifers who will be at the March for Life tomorrow! #whywemarch #ewtnprolife pic.twitter.com/lubx7U1xcX
— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) January 18, 2024