The Spire

Lisa Villa ’90

Guest Writer

Seven students and two priests from the College of the Holy Cross participated in the 2024 National March for Life.  Their journey began at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 18, with Mass in the chapel of the new Jesuit community residence.  Fr. Jim Hayes, S.J. presided and Fr. John Gavin, S.J. concelebrated.  The congregation learned that this was the first student Mass offered in the sacred space.

After Mass, final directions were given, everyone donned purple hats purchased for the occasion, and they boarded two vans for the road trip to Washington, DC. 

On Friday, the students attended Life Fest at the D.C. Armory, which included Mass, followed by the rally and then onto the March.  Temperatures were low, but spirits were high.

On Saturday, they attended the Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life at Georgetown University.  This is the largest student-run, pro-life conference in the United States.  The day once again began with a Mass, celebrated by Fr. Gavin at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  They were joined by the Sisters of Life.  At lunch, they were seated with Margaret “Peggy” Hartshorn, Ph.D. who is the former President and now Chair of the Board of Heartbeat International, the largest pregnancy help organization in the world.  Throughout the day they attended sessions, panels, and the keynote address given by, His Eminence, Seán Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Boston. The group left Washington at 4:30 pm and arrived back on campus at 1:15 AM.  They have a few days to rest up before classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The Students for Life are led by co-chairs Kate Wheeler ‘25 and Fiona McCarthy ‘25.  Father Jim Hayes serves as the group’s faculty advisor. 

Copy Edited by Lilly Baumfeld ’27