Despite the frigid temperatures and the announced snow day for students at Bishop O’Connell High School, more than 100 O’Connell students boarded buses at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 to participate in the diocesan “Life is Very Good” rally at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, before heading into Washington to be part of the 40th annual March for Life.
“These students came with no reward expected, just the chance to stand up for a life…and a warm chicken sandwich,” said O’Connell’s activities director, Robert Buckreis, who arranged for bus transportation and a Chick-Fil-A lunch ahead of time.
At the rally, the students prayed together, laughed together and celebrated Mass with students and seminarians from near and far.
They returned to their buses, singing together and warming up one more time before they braved the afternoon elements, joining hundreds of thousands of others to march from the Smithsonian to the steps of the Supreme Court.
"It was very encouraging to see so many young people brave the adverse weather to stand up for the unborn,” said theology teacher Patrice Connolly, who was one of a dozen faculty members who volunteered their time to chaperone O’Connell students who desired to “be voices for those who don’t have a voice.”
At the end of the march, the group stopped at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, where they graciously served up cocoa and donuts, and provided a warm place to sit.
Click on the play button below to view a slideshow from the Rally & March for Life.