March for Life
Registration for the 2026 March for Life IS NOW OPEN!!!
January 22 - January 25, 2026
We will once again be pilgrimaging to Washington DC to participate in the National March for Life. As a pro-life institution, the University of Notre Dame’s presence is of utmost importance to show our support for the right to life at the national level. The full schedule will be announced closer to the date of the pilgrimage.
Why are we going to DC?
Statement from the National March for Life:
Even with the wonderful blessing of Roe v. Wade being overturned, which allows more freedom at the state level to enact pro-life laws, the necessary work to build a culture of life in the United States of America is not finished. Rather, it is focused differently. Sadly, the number of abortions annually is still well over 900,000 each year, and that number is expected to decrease only by roughly 200,000 each year in a post-Roe America. Many national legislative battles loom, including even keeping longstanding Hyde protections, which limit government funding for abortion on annual appropriation bills. The Hyde Amendment has saved over 2 million lives and is arguably the most impactful pro-life policy in our nation’s history, but now cannot be taken for granted. Last, our most important work is changing hearts and minds. The goal of the national March for Life is to not only change laws at the state and federal level, but to change the culture to ultimately make abortion unthinkable.
With the role of the states being more important, we are also growing a strong state march for life initiative quickly, however, we will continue to march every January at the national level until a culture of life is restored in the United States of America.
How will we get there?
There will be charter buses leaving Thursday evening. There will be two options for the return trip: one leaves from DC Friday evening and the other leaves Saturday evening. Buses will be assigned the day of departure. Be sure to arrive early to get a seat by your friends!
Where are we staying?
Students have the option to stay at a local parish or to make their own arrangements. Please bring any sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, etc that you will want to take to DC when you come back to campus from Christmas break.
Schedule
(This schedule is subject to change with notice.)
Thursday, January 22, 2026:
3:45pm: Pre-Departure Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
5:15 - 6pm : Check-in at Stepan Center
6:30: Departure from Stepan Center
Friday, January 23, 2026:
6am: All buses arrive at St. Charles
8am: Holy Hour for Life at St. Charles
9am: Mass for Life at St. Charles
10am-3pm: March for Life
Free time in Washington DC
* option to return to Notre Dame on Friday night; buses leave Friday evening
Saturday, January 24, 2026:
* morning arrival from Friday departure
Free time in DC
- 9:30 Notre Dame Mass at the Basilica of the Naitonal Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- O'Connor Conference on Life (optional)
7:30 pm: Saturday departure
Sunday, January 25, 2026:
* Saturday buses arrive at Notre Dame by 9am
Why is it a pilgrimage?
We are traveling to Washington DC to participate in the National March for Life. We believe in the efficacious power of prayer, so we will be praying for the end to abortion throughout the trip. While you have free time in DC, we encourage you to take time to visit some holy sites and continue to pray for the right to life in the United States and the world.
Excused Absences
We will depart from ND on Thursday evening, so we will miss classes on Friday January 23rd. The university has already approved excused absences for those attending the March for Life with us. Please make sure to select that you will need an excused absence when you fill out your registration!
How much does it cost?
There is a $45 fee to attend. This registration supports March for Life expenses such as transportation, food, and merch. There is no additional fee for staying with ND at one of the parishes. Meals and any other activities (additional transportation, museum tickets, etc) while in Washington DC are not provided, so please plan accordingly.
If you are concerned about the cost, please reach out to Reynaldo Guillén (rguille3@nd.edu). We do not want cost to be the reason you do not attend!
Questions / Concerns?
Team Lead: Reynaldo Guillén ‘27
Phone: (956) 545-9236
Email: rguille3@nd.edu
