Trenton Monitor article on New Jersey March for Life'Thousands gather in Trenton for annual New Jersey March for Life'

By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor Published October 9, 2026 Thousands of pro-life advocates gathered at the New Jersey Statehouse Annex in Trenton Oct. 8 for the annual Rally and March for Life, calling on lawmakers to protect women and unborn children. PHOTO GALLERY: NJ March for Life The event brought together people of all ages, including pro-life organizations from every diocese in the state, as well as Catholic school and parish delegations. Speakers included state legislators, representatives of the National and New Jersey March for Life organizations and faith leaders, including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Paterson Diocese. The day included the added focus of supporting mothers facing difficult pregnancies. Pro-life advocates carry signs proclaiming “Life Is a Gift” as they participate in the New Jersey March for Life in Trenton Oct. 8. The march followed the third annual Mass for Life, bringing together Catholics and other supporters from across the state to witness publicly to the dignity and value of human life. Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ, 4th District), a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, described the March for Life as “an engraved invitation to all of us to seriously recommit and rededicate ourselves, with love and compassion, to tangibly assist women – especially through the extraordinary work of pregnancy care centers – in order to protect their precious babies and their own lives from the violence and cruelty of abortion.” “We are a people of persevering faith in God, willing to bear any burden and endure any attack,” the congressman said. “We know that the cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever and that each day, despite setbacks, many unborn children and their mothers have, are and will be protected. We have hope. We have much work to do.” Marie Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, highlighted the historic significance of gathering in Trenton during the nation’s 250th anniversary year. She recalled George Washington’s victory in December 1776, which helped turn the tide of the American Revolution and renewed hope for the young nation. “Just months earlier, our founders had proclaimed that our unalienable rights come not from government, but from our Creator, beginning with the right to life,” Tasy said. “Today, 250 years later, we gather in that same historic city, at the doorstep of our state house, to defend that founding principle,” she said, urging participants to continue speaking out, standing firm and working to protect every human life. Reiterating that New Jersey continues to pursue policies that expand abortion and deny meaningful protection for unborn children, Tasy emphasized the importance of elected officials hearing from the people they represent. “The New Jersey March for Life is a powerful reminder that there is a strong and compassionate pro-life movement throughout our state who remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting mothers and their unborn,” she said. Father James O’Neill, pastor of St. John Parish in Lakehurst and Ocean County’s Respect Life chaplain, said the annual gathering demonstrates the solidarity of New Jersey’s pro-life community. “Even though New Jersey has several million residents, I marvel at how (it) feels like a close-knit community at the Mass for Life and Rally for Life,” he said. Father O’Neill referred to the Rally for Life as an event that extends beyond “us Catholics to include our non-Catholic neighbors.” “The exuberance of the evangelical speakers suggests to me that God is in charge and eagerly desires that we all be one,” he said, adding “A common cause for life is one of the ways that God can unite us together in his Church as we help those having difficulty with the Fifth Commandment to receive mercy and choose life.” This article was published on October 9, 2026 and can be found online at: https://trentonmonitor.com/2026/10/09/thousands-gather-in-trenton-for-annual-new-jersey-march-for-life/