Even with the wonderful blessing of Roe v. Wade being overturned, which allows more freedom at the state level to enact pro-life laws, the necessary work to build a culture of life in the United States of America is not finished.  Rather, it is focused differently.  Sadly, the number of abortions annually is still well over 900,000 each year, and that number is expected to decrease only by roughly 200,000 each year in a post-Roe America. Many national legislative battles loom, including even keeping longstanding Hyde protections, which limit government funding for abortions on annual appropriations bills.  The Hyde Amendment has saved over 2 million lives and is arguably the most impactful pro-life policy in our nation's history, but now cannot be taken for granted.  Last, our most important work is changing hears and minds.  The goal of the national March for Life is to not only change laws at the state and federal level, but to change the culture to ultimately make abortion unthinkable.

Please be aware that this is a pilgrimage for life and will involve prayer, sacrifice and discomfort. It is not a tour group or vacation. There will be much time for prayer, mass, reflection and sharing. The schedule will be full. Over the years, many lives have been transformed though this pilgrimage.

Dates: The pilgrimage march will be Thursday, January 23rd – Saturday, January 25th of 2025. 

• We will depart from St James at Sag Bridge immediately after 6:30am Mass on Thursday and return to the same parking lot late Saturday night.  See preliminary itinerary below in the Schedule & FAQ section.  

Cost: $250 per person, which includes hotel, transportation, hoodies and event costs.  

• Each person will need to bring additional money to cover food, souvenirs, and any sightseeing they would like to do.
• Limited number of scholarships and financial assistance is available for those in need.  Please contact Maria Kwak: 
  (312) 439-0022 -or- [email protected]

Who can attend?

• The pilgrimage is for all high school students.  Students not yet in high school must be accompanied by a parent. 
• We have a limited number of slots for adult chaperones.  Please let us know in the Online Registration form below if you would like to attend the trip as a chaperone and we will contact you.  

Registration:

• All participants (students and adults) must:
  • Sign up using the Online Registration button below (Step 1).  We will fill the seats on a first come, first serve basis, with priority given to St. James parishoners and anyone from last year's waitlist.
  • Print, complete, sign, and submit either the Teen or Adult Participation Agreement (Step 2)
• Additionally, everyone 19 and older will be required to complete all Archdiocesan requirements, including Virtus training. Your seat will not be guaranteed and you will not be able to attend until the necessary evidence has been submitted. Additional information is included in the next section.

Payment and registration must be received by January 2, 2025.  Your spot is not reserved until we have all required information.

Everyone 19 and older will additionally be required to complete all Archdiocesan requirements, including Virtus training (see the Chaperone / Adult Requirements document below for a summary of requirements).  Your seat will not be guaranteed until the necessary evidence has been submitted. 

Chaperone / Adult Requirements

CANTS 22

CANTS 689

Standards of Behavior

Virtus Account Set up Instructions