CHICAGO, IL ( January 11, 2008 ) — Two hundred and fifty teens, young adults and adults from the Archdiocese of Chicago will travel to Washington D.C. on Saturday, January 19, to attend the annual March for Life and related events. The trip begins with a 2:30 p.m. Mass at St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish, 4101 Saint Lawrence Ave., Matteson. Most Rev. Thomas Paprocki, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will celebrate the Mass and bless the pilgrims before they depart for the nation’s capital.

"The March for Life is an effective, inspiring tool that helps to develop today’s young people into the pro-life leaders of tomorrow," said Mary-Louise Kurey, Director of the Archdiocese’s Respect Life Office. "Our hope is that these marchers go on to take active roles in the pro-life movement, inspired by a spirit of Christian charity and respect for all persons."

At 12 p.m. on Monday, January 21, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, will have lunch with the Chicagoans at the Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. in Washington. A question and answer session with the group follows the noontime meal. Later that evening, Cardinal George and the 250 Chicagoans will join thousands of pilgrims from across the U.S. for a 7 p.m. vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE in Washington.

At 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, a Youth Rallyand Mass for Life for more than 22,000 young Catholics, will commence at the Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW in Washington. Concelebrating the Mass along with Cardinal George will be cardinals, bishops and priests from across the country. At 12 p.m., the March For Life will commence with hundreds of thousands of Americans processing to Capitol Hill and the Supreme Court. The day’s events end with a 5 p.m. Silent No More prayer vigil held by the pilgrims on the steps of the Supreme Court.