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After Mass and breakfast, the students took Father’s exhortation to heart and took to the streets for the March. Gathering at the corner of 17th and Constitution, they were joined by various TAC parents, alumni, and friends. “This was my first time coming to the March for Life,” Rose Reilly (’27) recalled. “I didn’t expect to be surrounded by so many wonderful Catholics and such an uplifting atmosphere.”

The TACers marched alongside thousands of other university students, families, and religious orders around the National Mall before ending with a big group photo before the East side of the United States Capitol. “The March, as a celebration of life, is unlike any other protest,” said Samuel Livingston (’26). “It’s so full of joy and almost feels like a pilgrimage!”

After the March, the students dispersed to spend the rest of the day exploring the downtown D.C. area. The next day, after Mass and breakfast, they took advantage of their time in the nation’s capital to visit the Smithsonian museums before the long bus ride back to campus.

Californians to SF

In California, students made the trip to San Francisco to advocate for life, thanks in large part to the members of the Class of 2026, who spent much of last semester fundraising and planning. The group left on Friday afternoon, piling into buses shortly after classes ended for the day. At the end of the 375-mile drive to the city, students rolled out their sleeping bags in the basement of Sts. Peter and Paul Chuch, which generously provided them a place to stay. Many attended all-night Eucharistic Adoration, held upstairs, to pray for the Walk’s success and an end to abortion. 

On Saturday morning, some 300 students headed to the Civic Center Plaza to join thousands of men, women, and children at a pro-life rally before the Walk. There, students were reminded of their responsibility to be voices for the voiceless in a hostile culture. “We do the Walk every year because it’s important to show that the people of this nation are still invested in protecting life,” attested Michael Rivera (CA’26).

When the gathering took to the street, students helped lead the way, carrying a banner that read, “Abortion Hurts Women.” Together, they sang hymns and prayed, placing the millions of unborn children, mothers, and families throughout the world who are harmed by abortion in God’s protection. 

“The Walk seemed especially prayerful this year,” reflected Hannah Chadwick (’27). “It helped me to see the importance of every individual person who was there, that each person’s prayers are heard by God.”

After the Walk, students attended a Vigil Mass at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi. Spiritually fed and reassured of the victory already won by the Author of Life, they left Mass to explore the city’s shops and restaurants. Later in the evening, many came together in the city’s famous Ghirardelli Square, an old chocolate factory turned landmark, for swing dancing and celebration before their journey back to campus the following morning.

“It’s such a gift that we get the opportunity to represent this cause,” said Lucy Tittmann (’26). “It’s something that we are all very passionate about; it’s a cause that we’ve all considered, understood, and really believe in.” Agreed Emma Corcoran (CA’26): “It’s beautiful to be given the opportunity to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”