ARLINGTON, Va. - On Thursday, January 23, 2020, more than 8,000 teenagers are expected to take a stand for life on behalf of Generation Z. The event takes place the night before the annual March for Life, the largest pro-life gathering in the world. It provides an opportunity for young people to join in prayer for an end to abortion and an increased culture of life. Forty-nine dioceses and archdioceses from 26 states are participating this year.

“It is inspiring to see so many of our young people travel from parishes and college campuses from across the country to proclaim the sacredness of all human life and to protect the lives of the unborn. Through these young people, we are proclaiming the Gospel of Life and the dignity of all human persons,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington. “The Life is VERY Good event and the March for Life reflect the faith, conviction, courage and zeal of our young people, which they bring with them at these events and will carry home in support of countless local pro-life efforts.”

WHO:
Young Pro-life Activists

WHAT/WHEN:
Evening of Prayer
Thursday, January 23, 2020
7:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Featuring: Immaculée Ilibagiza, Paul George, ALOB

Morning Rally and Mass
Friday, January 24, 2020
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.  (Doors open at 8 a.m.)
Featuring: Paul George and ALOB

(Media must RSVP to Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, at Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org for credentials.)

WHERE:             
George Mason University
EagleBank Arena
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, VA 22030

“Watching 8,000 teens drop to their knees and pray for an end to abortion through the changing of hearts and minds is an awe-inspiring experience,” said Kevin Bohli, Executive Director of the Office of Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries and organizer of the Life is VERY Good event. “These young activists for life are driven to build a better future, one in which the sanctity of life is protected from conception to natural death.”

In the wake of efforts to loosen restrictions on abortion in several states last year, The Marist Poll provided statistics early last year (February 2019) demonstrating a dramatic shift to a pro-life outlook, particularly among younger Americans (under 45) and Democrats. Americans are now equally split on how they identify: 47 percent pro-life and 47 percent pro-choice. One month prior, The Marist Poll showed the split 38 to 55 percent, respectively. The sudden and dramatic shift is being celebrated by pro-lifers and should cause concern among state elected officials considering fewer abortion restrictions, expanding abortion access, and reducing health standards for abortion clinics.  

For more information, visit the Catholic Diocese of Arlington's website.

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The Catholic Diocese of Arlington was established on August 13, 1974 and is home to 70 parishes and more than 460,000 Catholics. There are currently 276 priests serving in the Diocese and 49 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, four diocesan high schools, four independent Catholic schools and five free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 17,000 students.

Geographically, the Diocese includes the seven cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester and the 21 counties of Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland.