Plans for Indiana March for Life include vigil, Mass, march, rally

During the third annual Indiana March for Life on Jan. 22 in Indianapolis, a mass of about 1,100 pro-life advocates march up Meridian Street toward Monument Circle, far outnumbering a small group of protesters on the monument steps. (Criterion file photo by Natalie Hoefer)

By Natalie Hoefer

The Indiana March for Life events set for Jan. 21 and 22, 2021—in solemn observance of the 1973 Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion—are similar to years past, although there will be a few changes.

The events will begin with a prayer vigil, organized by the Lafayette Diocese, from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 21 at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 10655 Haverstick Road, in Carmel, Ind. (Lafayette Diocese). The evening will include eucharistic adoration, praise and worship music and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Seating is limited to 200 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and mask-wearing and social distancing will be observed. Registration is required at vigilforlifecarmel2021.eventbrite.com.

The archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity is sponsoring the Mass on Jan. 22. It will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson at St. John the Evangelist Church, 26 W. Georgia St., in Indianapolis, at 10:30 a.m. Due to coronavirus safety measures, the church capacity is currently 250, so registration for the Mass is required. To register, go to cutt.ly/IndyMarch4LifeMass. Guidelines and regulations may change per Marion County recommendations, so the number of tickets available will be updated to allow as many people to attend the Mass as possible. Updates can be found at www.archindy.org/humanlifeanddignity. The Mass will also be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/stjohnsindy and www.stjohnsindy.org/mass-feed.html.

The march and rally, coordinated by Right to Life of Indianapolis, will take place at noon, starting on Georgia Street between Capitol Avenue and Illinois Street near St. John the Evangelist Church. The march will process to Monument Circle, then around the Indiana state capitol building, ending on the south lawn for a rally. Masks and social distancing will be observed. For information on how to register for the march and rally and for updates, go to www.rtlindy.org.

The Indiana March for Life is a registered stop this year on March for Life Chicago’s “Moving the Movement” Midwest tour. The tour includes seven events in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin, as well as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind., between Jan. 2 and Jan. 23.

Also new this year as part of the Moving the Movement tour, participants are asked to donate diapers on the day of the march and rally. The goal is to gather 130,094 diapers, one for every child aborted on average annually in the Midwest. Diapers dropped off at the Indianapolis event will be donated to three local pregnancy care centers and ministries: Birthline, Life Centers and Women’s Care Center. The drop-off site is still being finalized—The Criterion will announce that information when it is available. Financial donations to purchase diapers can also be made at cutt.ly/IndyMarch4LifeDiapers, with the ability to direct the contribution to the three designated pregnancy care centers and ministries in Indianapolis.

Changes and more details about the Roe v. Wade solemn observance events on Jan. 21 and 22 will be announced again in a future issue of The Criterion. †