BISMARCK, North Dakota (LifeSiteNews) — The sixth annual North Dakota March for Life was held this past Friday, October 10, in Bismarck, North Dakota, the state’s capital.

As per usual, the crowd included people of all ages and walks of life, from infants to grandparents; middle school, high school, and college students from schools across the state; priests and religious; and countless families. Real Presence Radio also recorded the event live for their many listeners across the state who were not able to attend.

However, the event looked different this year compared to years past. Rather than beginning with Mass at the diocese’s cathedral and and ending with a rally at the state capitol building, the event was held entirely inside the local event center. Participants were required to enter through security before being allowed into the space.

According to University of Mary Ministry Assistant Director Ed Konieczka, one of the primary organizers of the event, these changes were made due to increased concerns for the safety of participants, the majority of which have typically been students aged 12-18.

In obtaining the permit to hold the event at the state capitol, organizers were alerted that another group had already received a permit and was planning to use the space where the March for Life typically takes place. The other available space at the grounds is much closer to the street, and so, Konieczka commented, “In light of the school shooting at Annunciation parish in Minneapolis this year, the recommendation of the school security officers and of the Bismarck PD was to move the event indoors this year.”

The event began with Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop David Kagan of the Diocese of Bismarck. In his homily, Bishop Kagan reminded attendees, “We are consecrated by Almighty God Himself to promote, to defend, and to foster the sanctity of human life … human life in its every stage of development is inviolable,” and ended by stating, “The Cross, which is the ultimate sign of death, He has transformed into the tree of life … let us rejoice in that.”

Following Mass and a break for lunch, the main program took place. Other groups, including the local chapter of Lutherans for Life, joined. This year’s speaker was Kim Marvin, an abortion survivor who travels the country speaking about her story on behalf of the Abortion Survivors Network.

“It is only by God’s grace that I stand here, that I’m not one of the 63 million,” Marvin began. “The womb, which should be the safest place on the planet … right now, it isn’t so safe,” she said. She went on to describe finding out that her own mother attempted to abort her and the subsequent journey of healing and forgiveness that led her to share her story with others. She closed by especially exhorting the youth in the crowd, saying, “You are the next leaders that are coming up, and I know God’s put a special calling on all of you.”

After the speech, there were 63 seconds of silence, one second for each one million children killed in the womb since the legalization of abortion in the United States.

“You have called us, Father, to be Your light to a dark, dark world. And we stand here today in life and we represent life … Give us the proper words and the actions that we might change this world,” Pastor Keith Richie of Cornerstone Community Church prayed at the end of the silence.

Finally, Father Dominic Bouck, chaplain of the University of Mary, closed the program, declaring, “If the Supreme Court does not allow us to make abortion illegal in our state, I would be willing to go to the end of the line for that in a peaceful way, but I think we need to be ready to stand up for life as we’re doing today for the rest of our lives in this country and in our state.”

The changes to the structure of the event come shortly after updates to North Dakota law regarding abortion. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a trigger law went into effect in the state, banning abortion almost entirely, with exceptions for rape, incest, or when purportedly necessary for saving the mother’s life. That law was blocked by a court decision, which was then reversed by a new bill signed by the former governor in 2023. However, just last year, a district judge in the state declared the more recent bill “unconstitutional.” The state of North Dakota is currently in the process of appealing the judge’s decision.

While no abortion facilities are currently operating in the state, outlawing abortion is still a concern for many, especially for the growing Catholic population in the area of Bismarck. When asked what the goal of this year’s event was even though it looked different than from the past, Ed Konieczka responded, “The purpose for the annual March for Life is threefold: to advocate for prolife laws and support at the state level, to strengthen the resolve and commitment of those in attendance, and to pray for our nation.”

The North Dakota March for Life is held annually in October and is the work of the combined efforts of the Diocese of Bismarck, University of Mary, North Dakota Right to Life Committee, and Lutherans for Life.