One quarter of the student body of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, travelled 12 hours to be among the 400,000 pro-lifers marching for the protection and dignity of human life at Washington D.C.’s annual March for Life. Despite the frosty and frigid Washington weather, the numbers of participants at the January 24 event were astounding. Throngs of high school and college students made up the majority of the participants, and the 20 students from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom were honoured to represent Canada among them.

 
OLSWA students and staff marching at Washington D.C. annual March for Life

“Everything was absolutely mind blowing,” said John D’Agostino, one of OLSWA’s American students who was happy to defend life in his home country with his Canadian friends. “I’ve been to the March a few times before, and it is still absolutely incredible to witness thousands of people united against a great evil like abortion.”

There is always a large OLSWA contingent in Ottawa at Canada’s March for Life each May (which falls after the Academy’s academic year), but this year the Academy’s Pro-Life Club also wanted to defend life in Washington. “I believe that we have a duty to help protect the unborn in any way we can,” said Pro-Life Club president, Kathleen Dunn. “Just as many missionary groups travel to other countries to help the less fortunate, we too, can travel to another country and help the unborn children who cannot help themselves. I also feel that America has a great influence on the decisions that Canada makes. If the United States government listens to the voice of the Pro-Life movement, we can hope that Canada will do the same.” “We need to band together – Catholics, non-Catholics, religious and non-religious,“ said first-year student Alannah Walker, “and prove to our governments that we oppose abortion and we value life.”

One of the highlights of the weekend was to attend the National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the eve of the March. Ten thousand people packed the largest church in the Americas—with standing room only and all aisles, side chapels and crypt filled. Students were awed by the 45-minute long procession of hundreds of seminarians and priests, followed by 39 bishops and five cardinals. It was a tremendous sign of hope that witnessed to the vitality of the Church. “The Vigil Mass and the March itself were overwhelming and encouraging. To see thousands of others who shared the same beliefs as I do, who were actively pro-life and wanted to make a difference in society was so inspiring,” said second-year student Rebecca Wilson.

While the trip to Washington allowed students to see Washington’s famous monuments for the first time, and to visit the extensive Smithsonian Museum, it was ultimately a pilgrimage offered for the cause of life. “It was a sacrifice; it cost money and time and energy,” said Rebecca. “I chose to go though, to pray for an end to the culture of death in our society and to be a voice for the voiceless victims of abortion.”

OLSWA students at the Rally on the Washington Mall

The students saw much value in the March, explained Kathleen, both to “make a statement to the government that there is a great need to implement laws that protect the unborn,” and on another level for “the Pro-Life movement at large to gather together to support each other, to inspire each other and most importantly, to pray together in the battle for life.”

The students offer their thanks to the Knight of Columbus of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, as well as the others in the community who have offered financial assistance to help cover travel expenses. 

The OLSWA contingent taking the Metro