This January, as always, our Religious Family participated in the National March for Life in Washington DC. And, as always, it was followed by our Winter Youth Festival that takes place at our Seminary each year.
On Thursday January 25, we kicked off our annual March for Life-Winter Youth Festival event by attending the Vigil Mass for Life at the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. With standing room only, we participated in the holy Mass with youth from our parishes all across the country – literally from Florida to Alaska. Afterwards we returned to St. John Baptiste de la Salle Parish (where our IVE Seminary is) for a festive dinner and show.
The following morning Friday, January 26, God showered down graces on us in the form of snow! In spite of weather conditions, youth and adults from New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Florida, and Alaska woke up early to get ready to march! After breakfast Greg Stearns, a high school philosophy teacher from North Carolina, engaged the youth in a talk on the philosophical reasons that abortion is wrong. Following this, we participated in the Holy Mass, and bundled up to get ready for the snow! Everyone was in good spirits and a few teens had a friendly snow-ball fight while waiting for the March to begin.
This is the second year since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and yet, in spite of poor weather conditions, there was still an impressive turnout. Instead of marching to the Supreme Court as had been done previously, the March now stops in front of the Capitol building to demonstrate the need for the government to enact federal laws that protect the rights of unborn children. After the March, we returned to the IVE Seminary for Evening Prayer and the rosary followed by dinner and a lively show of songs and skits.
On Saturday, January 27, youth and young adults arrived for breakfast at 9am to kick off the Winter Youth Festival and Restore Conference for Young Adults. With over 500 attendees between the two concurrent events, our “little” tent was packed! In the morning, we participated in the Holy Mass. Throughout the day there were formation talks for both youth and young adults, a festive lunch with songs, a funny skit and even a juggling act brought to us from a group of boys from New Hampshire. There was also, of course, time to play in the snow. The Young Adults made a short pilgrimage to the St. John Paul II Shrine. The evening closed with Adoration and Confessions followed by dinner and a Rosary Procession. Despite freezing temperatures, the attendees were very happy and already asking for the next Youth Fest. We look forward to next year’s March and youth activities!
