Special to
L’Observateur

WASHINGTON — St. Charles Catholic High School recently sponsored its tenth bus trip to the annual March for Life in Washington.

This year’s march commemorated the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. St. Charles Catholic High School was represented by 23 students.

“There was such an immense feeling of togetherness and spiritual renewal that really contributed to the overall tone of the trip,” SCC senior Garrett Washburn said.

“This pilgrimage gave me so much spiritual fortitude that it is hard to express my true amount of thanks.”

The theme of this year’s march was “Every Life is a Gift.”

Despite the cold temperatures, students gathered at the National Mall for the rally, then marched to the Supreme Court and Congress.

St. Charles Catholic High School students also visited the Smithsonian Museums and the National Memorials. The students also attended a Christian concert.

In addition, students attended Mass with Archbishop Aymond of New Orleans at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va.

“The further along we went on this pilgrimage, the closer I could feel myself growing with, not only classmates, but also with God,” SCC junior Shannon Brewer said. “This experience has helped me strengthen my faith and my pro-life view.”

Before departing Washington, the students attended a Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

“The 2015 March for Life was a true spiritual pilgrimage that not only spoke as a witness to the right to life for the unborn, but it brought to life and enriched the faith life of all who participated,” SCC Assistant Principal Doug Triche said.

“Many young people who felt their faith was dying found a new spirit on their spiritual journey with the Church.” 

Upon returning to school, senior Albert Hane shared that “being able to be part of a movement that included 650,000 other people was very faith inspiring.”

Three SCC students will appear in the latest episode of “Our Schools, Our Future” with Dr. Jan Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. “Our Schools, Our Future” is a monthly program highlighting Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Tune in to WLAE at 8 p.m. on Tuesday in February to hear the students discuss their experiences during the trip to Washington.