Pro-Life Pilgrims Defend the Unborn

An unborn child’s heart beats loudly over the ultra-sound machine as a couple cries in joy and anticipation of meeting their child for the first time. This special moment that celebrates life is exactly what Dominican’s Pro-Life Club members marched to defend.


March for the Voiceless- DHS students join the March for Life in January to mark in protest the Roe V. Wade decision. The pilgrims walked 1.2 miles in freezing Washington, D.C, weather from the National Mall to the Supreme Court Building. The mission of the March for Life is to end abortion by uniting, educating and mobilizing people in the public square.

Thirty-four Dominican Pro-Life Club members and three faculty members participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18. Dominican marched with 500 students from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, alongside the 500,000 other attendees from across the country.

The purpose of the annual March for Life is to end abortion by uniting, educating and mobilizing people in the public square. This year, he large crowd braved freezing cold weather to march the 1.2 miles from the National Mall to the Supreme Court Building. Along the way, the crowd used their voices through chants, signs, and prayers to express their thoughts against abortion and the infamous ruling of the 1973 court case Roe v. Wade.

“To see the massive crowd marching for a cause so close to my heart is such an inspiring sight to see,” said senior Meredith McKeough. “This trip is one of the best ways to learn gratitude and humility and to thank God for the gift of life in all of its stages.”


Members of the Pro-Life march in Washington, D.C., using their voices to defend the unborn. Dominican students joined more than 500,000 attendees who participated in the peaceful March for Life demonstration. Dominican participates in March for Life annually to remember the somber anniversary of the Roe v. Wade court decision.

Though the March is the highpoint of the pilgrimage for most attendees, there is much more to the entire journey. DHS participated in several activities such as concerts, ministry nights, the Geaux Forth Rally sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life and the Life is Very Good Rally.

“My favorite part of the trip is always the Life is Very Good Rally,” said Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino (’07), co-moderator of the Pro-Life Club. “It’s amazing to be in such a big arena with thousands of people who all stand for the same cause as you. Seeing all those people participate in adoration is a unifying experience but, at the same time, is completely personal.”

From the moment the buses were loaded to the second students return home, the welcoming, inspiring atmosphere of the trip allowed everyone to open their hearts and minds to the joys of life. Every moment of the trip focused on unifying the voices of the Pro-Life Generation to make an impact on the world, in hopes of one day reversing the culture of death into one of life and acceptance for all.

“Stepping away from the stress of my daily schedule and traveling to D.C. with all of my closest friends reminded me of how lucky I am to be alive,” said McKeough. “Life is a gift. This trip reminded me to not only fight for the lives of others, but to also be thankful for mine.”

  • Natalie Rodriguez-Ema