Three busloads of high school students in the diocese traveled from different points in the North Country  to take part in a three day pilgrimage to Washington , D.C. , culminating With participation in the 39th annual March for Life Jan. 23. Above, the young people are shown on the steps of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

By Colleen Miner
Staff Writer

Three Youth Buses for Life departed from three different locations Jan.21, to represent the diocese at the 39th March for Life in Washington, DC.

Leaving from Watertown, Massena and Albany, the 146 teens and chaperones met in Washington and experienced the pilgrimage together.

During the first evening, 27-year-old Edel Carrick, a pro-life speaker from Arizona, shared an event which changed her life seven years ago. She was date raped (drug put in her drink) and became pregnant. Experiencing a high risk pregnancy due to her diabetes, she developed high blood pressure, toxemia and preclampsia but chose life for her son. “Rape is violent,” she said, “but so is abortion...Every life is a gift.” Edel’s son, Zachary was born six weeks premature but today is a healthy child, accompanying Edel to the presentation.

After listening to the program, Sam Mullin, a high school student from St. James in Gouverneur said “I learned that putting all your trust in God will give you great things. Taking a chance at something and just having total faith in God, your outcome can be really good thanks to Him.”

On Sunday, the pilgrimage included three hours at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Students went to confession, explored the many mosaic side chapels and made purchases at the gift shop.
A former Youth Bus for Life traveler who is now a freshman at Catholic University of America, offered tours of the CUA campus.

As the group was boarding the buses, Bishop LaValley arrived with the Young Adult group.  He went from Youth bus to Youth bus to meet the young people.

The afternoon was spent at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum where students could  watch an IMAX presentation on the Hubble Telescope missions, try a flight simulator, enjoy the Einstein Planetarium show or find their house on the Google Earth Station.

After a drive past several National Monuments: Martin Luther King Jr Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Pentagon and Air Force Monument, the crew headed to Woodbridge, Virginia to the “Life is Very Good” Event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Arlington.
The evening included Mass celebrated by Archbishop George Lucas (Omaha,Nebraska).

Concelebrants included Eastern Youth Bus for Life chaplain Father Mark Reilly and Western Youth Bus for Life chaplain Father Bryan Stitt, assisted by Northern Youth Bus for Life spiritual leader, Deacon Brian Dwyer.
Catholic musician Matt Maher provided music for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and entertained the 3,500 gathered during a concert which concluded the evening.

Bob Rice was the “between acts” entertainment.

On Monday - the day of the March for Life, the pilgrims gathered for Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church before heading into D.C.

Each received a blue scarf, made by chaperone Sara St. Louis, to help keep the group together as well as a “Lovin’ All Life” pin donated by chaperone Dayna Leader.

There was a quick visit to the National Museum of Natural History before joining as estimated 400,000 for the Rally on the Mall.

For the first time in 16 years, the March for Life started on time which allowed some to listen to the Silent No More testimonies on the steps of the Supreme Court or tour the Library of Congress before heading to the buses.
Allison St. Louis, high school student from St. Alexander's Parish, Morrisonville said “Seeing such a huge crowd standing up for what's right is such a heart-warming feeling. It shows that you're not the only one fighting for the unborn.”

Each year, the pilgrimage is possible through generous donations to the diocesan Respect Life Collection which helps defray the cost of the weekend.

Next year’s March for Life will be held on Friday due to the Presidential Inauguration.

Youth Bus for Life sign-ups begin in October and are open to high school students and Virtus-trained chaperones.
Until then - Pray. Hope. Love. Save.