Third NJ Bishops’ Mass for Life to open day of pro-life witness

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton will provide a place of spiritual welcome on Oct. 8 as more than a thousand Catholics and people of good will from across the state will gather for the third annual New Jersey Bishops’ Mass for Life.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., of the hosting Diocese of Trenton, will serve as principal celebrant, joined by bishops from the Archdiocese of Newark and Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Paterson.  Newark’s Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau will serve as the homilist.  Scores of New Jersey priests are expected to concelebrate; representatives from many of the five dioceses will also participate, offering the readings; serving as ushers and choir members and taking part in the Presentation of the Gifts. Set to begin at 9:30 a.m., the Mass will be livestreamed by the Diocese of Trenton.

Praying and giving witness to the sanctity of the unborn

This year’s Mass marks the third in a series launched in 2024 and provides the liturgical foundation for a day of action that culminates in the NJ Rally and March for Life.  Buses are coming in from every corner of New Jersey to deliver members of the Catholic and pro-life communities to “pray, give witness to the sanctity of the unborn and to do all we can to end the scourge of abortion,” according to Rachel Hendricks, coordinator for the Diocese of Trenton’s Respect Life Ministry.

Following the Mass, supporters will take to the streets for the Rally for Life beginning at 11 a.m. at the NJ Statehouse Annex, located near the Cathedral. A slate of speakers, including Catholic clergy and other faith leaders, will speak on the growing threats to unborn life in New Jersey and around the nation. The march will begin at noon, following a loop through Trenton’s downtown before returning to the Statehouse Annex.

Sponsors of the Mass, Rally and March for Life include the Diocese of Trenton’s Respect Life Ministry in collaboration with the NJ Catholic Conference, pro-life/human dignity offices from the state’s other four Catholic dioceses and the NJ Council of the Knights of Columbus.

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral is located at 151 N. Warren Street. All are welcome. For more information, including parking arrangements, go to NJ March for Life – Diocese of Trenton – Lawrenceville, NJ.

You can view the Mass via livestream below: