By Lou Baldwin • Posted February 26, 2013

Five busloads of Catholics who believe marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman are scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., on March 26 to participate in Marriage March 2013 from the National Mall to the Supreme Court followed by a rally on the National Mall.

March 26 is the date the United States Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments to determine if California’s Proposition 8, passed by the state’s voters in 2008 to protect the sanctity of marriage, is constitutional or not.

The march is sponsored by the National Organization for Marriage, alongside a broad coalition of pro-family organizations and groups.

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The archdiocesan effort is being organized by the Office for Life, Family and Laity and has been endorsed by Archbishop Charles Chaput.

“The Church understands marriage as a unique relationship with a unique definition,” the archbishop said in a Feb. 18 letter to pastors, asking them to promote the Marriage March in their parish.

“By its very nature, marriage is ordered not only to companionship and mutual support, but also – and even more fundamentally – to the procreation and education of children.

“This is why every child deserves a family where the father loves the mother, and the mother loves the father,” he continued. “For anyone to attempt to redefine marriage or the family as something else undermines that goal. Thus it’s vital that the Church keep working to defend the integrity of marriage.”

The March 26 event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a gathering on the National Mall between 10th St. and 12th St. NW, and between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW.

At 9:30 a.m. participants will march to the Supreme Court by way of Madison Drive, 3rd St. SW, Constitution Ave. and 1st St. NE, then return to the Mall for an 11 a.m. rally which is scheduled to conclude at 1 p.m.

“Pope Benedict reminds us that to stand up for the dignity of marriage is a ‘prophetic act’ and we are so glad to have this opportunity, especially during the Year of Faith to give witness to our faith in the public square,” said Meghan Cokeley, assistant director, Office for Life, Family and the Laity, who will be attending the march.

Buses for people in the Philadelphia Archdiocese will be located in each of the five counties:

Montgomery County – Corpus Christi Parish, 900 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale.
Bus Captain: Anne, 610-222-9778

Bucks County – St. Andrew Parish, 81 Swamp Rd., Newtown
Bus Captain: Eileen, 215-801-4401

Chester County – SS. Simon and Jude Parish, 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester
Bus Captain, Mary Ann, 610-431-7979

Delaware County – St. Pius X Parish, 220 Lawrence Rd., Broomall
Bus Captain, John, 610-446-5600

Philadelphia County – Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 222 N. 17th St., Philadelphia
Bus captain, Office for Life, Family and Laity, 215-587-0500

Those who wish to attend should contact their bus captain directly to sign up. There is a $10 donation to reserve a seat. The $10 should be dropped off or mailed to the bus center address prior to departure and marked Attn. Marriage March Bus. Checks may be made payable to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Buses are scheduled to depart at 7 a.m. and expected to arrive back around 5 p.m.

Minors attending the March must be accompanied by a parent.

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For more information see the website NationForMarriage.org