On January 23, 2012, the Czestochowa Youth Group approached the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. as participants in the 39^th annual March for Life. This protest represents the growing dissatisfaction of Americans with their government's continuing decision to uphold the laws legalizing abortion and contraception in our country. The day was rainy, grey, and cold; both a fitting reminder of the bleak state of our society and a testament to the marchers' courage and dedication. On the bus with us this year was Fr. Anselm, who cheerfully boosted our morale on the bus both down to the March and on the return trip.

As every year, we stand for Life, we march for Life: we defend the right to live. We defend the right not only to survive, to exist, but to live the way God intended, fully and freely. We defend the right to live of the unborn, of those who have no chance to exist, but also of their mothers, both those who don't know better and those who do. We defend their right to live without fear, shame, sadness, hatred. We defend the right to live of Down syndrome sufferers, the autistic, the handicapped, the old, the poor, the abused, the marginalized, ignored, abandoned fringes of society.

The March for Life is a movement for all, defending the most basic rights of all. We live in a society addicted to its own momentum, willfully ignoring its own flaws, willing to sacrifice its children to stave off a moment of self-awareness. And we will not participate in such a society, we will not keep our heads down and go quietly into the dark. So we go on the March for Life every year, we pray, and we hope.

By Andrew Parrish