2025 March for Life: Here’s what you need to know

CNA Staff, Jan 23, 2025 / 14:15 pm (CNA).

The 52nd National March for Life — the largest annual pro-life event in the world — kicks off tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 24.

The theme of the pro-life movement’s largest annual event is “Life: Why We March,” which organizers say is meant to highlight the pro-life movement’s fundamental message to protect unborn children and support their mothers.  

Here is a rundown of events, speakers, and other important information about this year’s march.

What is the March for Life?

One of the largest annual human rights demonstrations in the world, every year the March for Life gathers tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers from across the country for a day of prayer and peaceful witness.

The March for Life first began in 1974 as a response to the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Even after the decision was overturned, pro-lifers continue to gather to march for the lives of unborn children as abortion continues to be legal in many states.

According to organizers, the 2025 March for Life theme “Life: Why We March” is meant to encourage pro-lifers to focus on the reason for the march — protecting unborn children and their mothers — even as pro-abortion policies crop up in various states.

Jeanne Mancini, outgoing president of the March for Life, said in a statement that she hopes the theme “can be a source of renewed energy and focus so needed for this moment.”

“Many in our nation see this issue as a cause that divides,” Mancini explained. “May our humble voices and peaceful presence serve as a reminder of the beauty and dignity of every human life, and as an invitation to all Americans to come together in recognition of this truth and to serve the most vulnerable.”

The March for Life will have a change in leadership this year, with longtime president Mancini stepping down and Jennie Bradley Lichter taking her place. Lichter is deputy general counsel at The Catholic University of America and served in the White House during the first Trump administration. 

What will the weather be like?

Though previous marchers have braved snow for the March for Life, there is only a small chance of precipitation. The weather is forecast to be cold and partly cloudy, with a high of 37 degrees and a low of 17 degrees, with 5-10 mph winds and a 6% chance of precipitation. 

What’s on the schedule?

11 a.m: Pre-rally concert on National Mall featuring Christian band Unspoken 

Noon: March for Life Rally on National Mall 

1 p.m.: March for Life, beginning at the National Mall and ending in front of the Supreme Court building

Don’t miss these speakers

The March for Life brings together pro-life advocates from those in politics to authors to survivors of abortion. From a famous surfer to U.S. senators, here are some of the speakers you won’t want to miss. 

• U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the nation’s second Catholic vice president

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Catholic who signed Florida’s historic heartbeat bill, protecting unborn children once the heartbeat can be detected

• Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer known for surviving a shark attack at the age of 13, now a mother and pro-life advocate

• Lila Rose, a Catholic who founded the pro-life nonprofit Live Action when she was 15 years old

• Josiah Presley, an abortion survivor

• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Louisiana representative and speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

• Majority Leader John Thune, a U.S. senator from North Dakota and Senate majority leader   

Click here to see a full list of speakers.

Additional events and prayer opportunities

The pro-life movement is not only political — it’s also prayerful. The March for Life is bookended by opportunities for pro-life pilgrims to gather in prayer for an end to abortion. 

National Prayer Vigil for Life: 

On Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will hold a national prayer vigil beginning the night before the march and extending until the next morning.

The vigil will begin with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy followed by an opening Mass with Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, Ohio. At 7 p.m., the “Holy Hour for Life” will begin. The following morning features a closing Mass at 8 a.m. Live events will be broadcast by EWTN.

Click here for more information on the prayer vigil.

Life Fest:

On Thursday, Jan. 23, and Friday, Jan. 24, at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus will host Life Fest.

An upbeat, youth-oriented pre-march event, Life Fest will include musical performances, inspirational speakers, Mass, and praise and worship adoration. Thursday features a night of praise beginning at 7 p.m. followed by a morning rally and Mass from 8-11 a.m. on Friday.

Click here for more information on Life Fest.

More information on related events can be found on the March for Life’s website here.

Where do I go to attend the march?

The March for Life will begin at the rally site on the National Mall lawn near the Washington Monument.

Marchers will meet for the pre-rally concert at 11 a.m. on the Washington Monument grounds between 17th Street NW and 15th Street NW on Constitution Avenue.

The march itself will go from 1-4 p.m., beginning at 17th Street NW (adjacent to Washington Monument grounds) and ending past the nation’s Capitol at the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.

March for Life organizers recommend taking the Washington, D.C., Metro system on the day of the march. Three Metro stops are within easy walking distance from the rally point: Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and Metro Center.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261749/2025-march-for-life-here-s-what-you-need-to-know