Spirited crowd of about 18,000 fills Washington arena for life events

Published: 2005-01-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- There were blue sweatshirts with the words "Pro-life trip, because it matters," blue headbands that read "I love life," and yellow T-shirts that said "Smile, your mom chose life." More than 18,000 young people, adult chaperones, seminarians, priests and religious gathered Jan. 24 at the MCI Center, a sports and concert arena, in downtown Washington for the Rally for Life and Youth Mass that preceded the March for Life. For the past decade, the Archdiocese of Washington has sponsored the morning of song, prayer and socializing for youths from around the nation. Singer-songwriter and youth leader Steve Angrisano performed, along with Tony Melendez and the "Who Do You Say I Am" band from Cleveland. Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick celebrated the Mass.

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