After last year’s white smoke marked the election of Pope Leo XIV to overshadow the annual March for Life in the nation’s capital, organizers of this year’s 29th edition of the March are expecting the commitment to life to step back into the spotlight. 

Still, Josie Luetke, director of education and advocacy for Campaign Life Coalition, can’t help but chuckle when she recalls the synchronicity of last year’s culturally historic rally on Parliament Hill. 

“ I still think it was especially cool seeing teenagers all huddled around their phones and awaiting the announcement of the Pope. It was really encouraging, and I think it added to the air of excitement more than anything,” she said. 

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While Luetke doesn’t expect any major papal announcements this year, she still looks forward to the annual National March for Life. It begins May 12 under the theme “Follow Me,” drawn from Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:19, as organizers challenge complacency and call Canadian pro-lifers to a renewed commitment toward life. It culminates with the annual gathering May 14 on Parliament Hill and march through downtown Ottawa.

Taken from Christ’s call to make His disciples fishers of men, the chosen theme for the 2026 March carries a dual meaning: following Christ’s invitation and physically following the crowds of faithful to Parliament Hill. 

For Luetke, this year also marks a call to overcome post-COVID complacency, political discouragement and the attitude of apathy that often surrounds issues around abortion and euthanasia.

“ A lot of people are feeling a sense of powerlessness, that abortion is really entrenched (in Canada), and it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon, and so I think many people have given up or feel like if they do pro-life work, it's just when it's convenient to them,” Luetke said. 

“That is the reason we march and march specifically in Ottawa on Parliament Hill, because there is an injustice that happens with abortion and euthanasia, where we are not protecting all human life from conception to natural death. That needs to be rectified, and we have a duty to continue to advocate for justice and for a return of righteousness.”  

Campaign Life Coalition’s March for Life week remains brimming with initiatives and activities as it has in past years. May 12 kicks off with Songs For Life Coffee House performances at St. Francois-d’Assise Parish, before the next day’s Holy Mass at St. Theresa Church and candlelight vigil for victims of abortion. 

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May 14 marks the initiative’s main day, with extensive morning Masses taking place before the  noon gathering and rally on Parliament Hill, before thousands march through downtown Ottawa and hear from Silent No More awareness testimonials. 

That evening will also feature a free pro-life expo and the ever-popular Rose Dinner Gala at the Ottawa Conference and Events Centre. It’s there that Luetke hopes the night’s two key speakers, Alex Schadenberg of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and Aleš Primc of Movement for Children and Families, will bring even further attention to the current Canadian pro-life landscape. 

“Primc is from Slovenia, and he successfully initiated a referendum there to overturn their assisted suicide law,” she said. “ There is a lot to learn from him, and so we are really excited to hear what he has to say both on the Hill and at the Rose Dinner that evening.” 

Even as the dates approach with a sense of optimism, planning for this year has faced ongoing challenges of a certain indifference, especially from some Catholic school boards that have stopped sending students to the event since COVID, citing safety concerns from counter-protesters.

Still, encouraging signs persist as people make major sacrifices, such as flying in from across Canada, organizing local bus trips and youth returning year after year. One new initiative this year is the “Live & Learn” event on May 20, part of a recurring monthly opportunity to be educated on timely topics while experiencing virtual fellowship with pro-lifers from across the country.

As the banner of “Follow Me” hangs over this year’s visual expression of pro-life support, Luetke and Campaign Life are inviting every Canadian who is able to answer that call and experience the same life-giving fellowship for themselves that she when she first attended as a Grade 9 student in 2011.

“That was the first time that I felt like I wasn't in the minority. You really feel like you're part of something so much bigger than yourself, to be surrounded by thousands of other people who share your values. You realize you are in this same fight together,” she said. 

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“Anyone who goes to the National March for Life gets that same sense of being uplifted, inspired and feeling comforted and hopeful. Yes, maybe our parliamentarians don't always listen, but we are going to reissue the same call for justice year after year, and that can be very nourishing for our own souls, too.” 

For more on the National March for Life, see marchforlife.ca/.