Vigil for Life, Indiana March for Life set for Jan. 21-22 in Indianapolis

Youths carry a banner at the front of the inaugural Indiana March for Life in Indianapolis on Jan. 22, 2018. (File photo by Natalie Hoefer)

Criterion staff report

The annual Vigil for Life and Indiana March for Life will take place on Jan. 21 and 22 in Indianapolis. The events are held in solemn observance of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion in the United States. Both events draw attention to the inherent dignity and respect for the lives of all unborn children.

The Vigil for Life will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 21 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 126 W. Georgia St., in Indianapolis.

This year’s evening of praise, worship and reflections will feature Christian singer and songwriter Audrey Assad.

The vigil will also include eucharistic adoration, a eucharistic procession and the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation.

The event, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana and Right to Life of Indianapolis, is free, although financial donations will be accepted and split between the archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity and the Lafayette Diocese’s Office for Family Life.

Parking will be available at two adjacent garages—Plaza Park Garage on Capitol Avenue, or the World Wonders Garage (mall parking) on Illinois Street.

Registration is not required, although for planning purposes it is requested. To register, go to bit.ly/2EhyNW2 (case‑sensitive).

The second annual Indiana March for Life will take place the next day, on Jan. 22.

Events begin with a pre-rally at 11 a.m. in the Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capital Ave., across from St. John the Evangelist Church.

Mass will be celebrated in the church at noon, with Archbishop Charles C. Thompson and Lafayette Bishop Timothy L. Doherty presiding. A memorial for the unborn, sponsored by Right to Life of Indianapolis, will take place at the same time in the Indiana Convention Center.

The march will begin on Georgia Street between the church and convention center at 1:30 p.m. It will proceed from there to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument—the downtown Circle—then on to the State Capitol building at 200 W. Washington St.

A rally with speakers will take place on the south steps of the Capitol building at 2 p.m.

All are invited to show their support for the dignity of the unborn by taking part in both the vigil and the march.

Groups planning on taking buses to the event should contact Brie Anne Varick for more information.
 

(For more information on the events, go to www.archindy.org/humanlifeanddignity, or call the Office of Human Life and Dignity at 800-382-9836, ext. 1521, or 317-236-1521. For groups arriving in buses, contact Brie Anne Varick at 317‑236-1543 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1543, or email beichhorn@archindy.org.) †