The annual Washington State March for Life, which usually draws thousands to the state Capitol, is going virtual on January 22 because of the pandemic, but the message hasn’t changed.

“We want to respect every life, especially the most vulnerable,” said Noreen McEntee Hobson, a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Tacoma who heads the Washington State March for Life.

The organization has been observing a Week for Life on its Facebook page, where the virtual March for Life will be livestreamed at noon January 22.

Also mostly virtual this year is the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Mass for Life, a day of prayer for the legal protection for unborn children. The Mass, being held this year at St. James Cathedral, has limited space available and registration is required. But the Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, will be livestreamed at 8 a.m. January 22 on Facebook and Vimeo.

In addition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is sponsoring the 9 Days for Life novena, which begins January 21 and concludes January 29.

Capitol steps will be empty

This marks the first time since 1979 that thousands of people won’t be rallying on the steps of the Legislative Building on behalf of the unborn. The virtual March for Life event will include offerings from religious leaders, messages from state legislators and a message from the Washington State March for Life board, McEntee Hobson said.

Part of the in-person March for Life experience is meetings with legislators after the rally to advocate for pro-life issues. This year, the state Legislature is meeting virtually, so “we really are trying to encourage people to meet with their legislators in their home districts, because that is where they are,” McEntee Hobson said.

Some of those who usually participate in the March for Life say they will miss the in-person event.

“Obviously it won’t be the same,” said Ed Mohs, a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Everett and longtime participant in the March for Life.

“You’re more outward looking instead of being physically present,” he added, but said he knows the prayers will be there. He is planning to send letters to his state senator and representatives.

The support of the ‘March’ community

Allison Verhofstadt, youth minister at St. Patrick Parish in Tacoma, has participated in the March for Life in Olympia since she was a child growing up in Bremerton. As a college student at Catholic University of America, she marched in Washington, D.C.

When Verhofstadt became pregnant during her sophomore year of college, she recalled the thousands of people she encountered marching over the years.

“I think it was one of those things that gave me a sense of peace and calm,” she said. “I know there are so many joyful, loving and compassionate people out there.”

After giving birth to her daughter Lucy, Verhofstadt graduated from college in 2017 and started work at St. Patrick’s. She again participates in the Washington State March for Life, in recent years singing “God Bless America” during the March.

The people marching don’t know the impact they have, Verhofstadt said. “The support of this community is really powerful.”

After the March, pro-life activities will continue at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton. At 7 p.m. January 22, the parish will livestream a vigil for the unborn, followed by eucharistic adoration, said Mary Kasprzyk, a co-lead for the parish’s Respect Life ministry.

The following day, at noon January 23, St. Stephen’s parishioners will participate in a Jericho Walk at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kent. They will walk around the block seven times in silent prayer.

“This is exactly what we need to do,” Kasprzyk said. “We’re going to stand strong.”