STEUBENVILLE — A contingent of more than 700 students, alumni, faculty and staff from Franciscan University of Steubenville, along with the school’s president, the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, will attend the national March for Life Jan. 24 in Washington, D.C.

Events begin on Franciscan University’s campus at 10:30 p.m. Thursday with a pro-life holy hour. Then, seven busloads of students will leave for D.C. and arrive in time to attend the 8 a.m. closing Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Focused on the theme Life: Why We March, the March for Life starts with a pre-rally concert at 11 a.m. and a rally at noon on the National Mall.

Then, the march begins at 1 p.m., proceeding down Constitution Avenue and ending at Capitol Hill.

“Reflecting on this year’s March for Life theme, this is a chance for Franciscan students to affirm the mission of Christ and the sanctity of human life,” said Rachel Lasher, president of the university’s Students for Life club. “As disciples of Christ, we are called to uphold the beauty of the family by supporting mothers and fathers while also defending human life from conception to natural death. That is why we march.”

Franciscan University students have attended every national March for Life since the inaugural event in 1974.