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Janiary 20, 2016 (CardinalNewmanSociety) — This year, the Newman Guiderecommended Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C., will have the honor of leading the 2016 March for Life — a first-time opportunity for CUA and one which the students are eagerly anticipating, according to Father Jude DeAngelo, university chaplain and director of campus ministry at CUA.

“We’ve been participating in the March for Life for years, but we have never led the March to my knowledge,” Fr. DeAngelo told The Cardinal Newman Society in an interview. “It’s quite a privilege and our students are really honored and excited.”

Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, reached out to John Garvey, president of CUA, to invite the University to lead the 2016 March for Life. Around 40 students from CUA’s Students for Life group will carry the lead banner at the head of the March, along with students from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. The rest of CUA’s student participants will be elsewhere in the crowd, marching under the University’s flag.

Students get an excused absence from class for attending the March, and “the students who attend are truly dedicated to the issue of life,” said Fr. DeAngelo. “In the past, we’ve had as many as 550 students attend.”

“Our Students for Life group is highly respected on campus and have made it very clear that they want to lead others in understanding the dignity of human life in the womb and the dignity of the mothers and fathers of these children,” Fr. DeAngelo shared.

According to a press release from CUA, the March for Life organizers make “a deliberate effort to put young people out front,” said Father Eric de la Pena, associate chaplain for faith development at CUA. “Catholic University participates every year. A campus represents young people and our young people are invested. Their voice counts.”

Pamela Tremblay, associate campus minister for women’s ministry and pro-life ministry at CUA, reportedly stated that the March for Life gives students “a unique opportunity to see how activism is part of our Catholic tradition. To be able to have our students defend the least among us in a political way every year is a unique opportunity that our location in the District provides.”

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Fr. DeAngelo told the Newman Society that the March for Life “is a lightning rod for life issues throughout our country.” By participating in this event, students come to see that “addressing our other societal issues really begins with protecting human life in the womb.”

In addition to leading the March for Life, CUA also offers housing and hospitality to march participants each year in the University’s Raymond A. DuFour Athletics Center. High school and college students spend the night on campus and CUA student volunteers ensure that guests are welcomed, receive meal tickets and are assisted throughout the night.

And on January 21, CUA students will also be present at the National Prayer Vigil for Life in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, attended by thousands of pro-life marchers each year.

Reprinted with permission from The Cardinal Newman Society.