What started as chaotic socializing and collecting luggage and sleeping bags into a large pile, quickly turned into a reflective and spiritual time for more than 250 Mid-Missouri students, parents and others who are headed to the March for Life in Washington D.C.
The Diocese of Jefferson City has been organizing such pilgrimages for more than 14 years, which is how long the Rev. Joe Corel has been involved. But this year they are taking five buses, up from their ordinary three, he said.
The increase in numbers is due in part to a friendly competition between Helias Catholic High School and Father Tolton Catholic High School in Columbia, which has increased its participants from nine in 2013 to 60 this year, Corel said. So he suspects Helias students have been recruiting for higher numbers, too.
Grace Bradley, for one, came back from the 2014 pilgrimage inviting her Helias friends to go on this year's trip. She said she enjoyed the whole experience, but particularly seeing so many people gathered in one place for one cause.
"It felt like people paid more attention to you," she said.
Nearly 40 Helias students were given their homework ahead of time for the four days they will be gone, which is typical for when student groups are gone for mission trips, student Lydia Schulte said.
Traveling 44 hours round-trip to be part of the 40th annual March for Life is a type of mission trip, Schulte added.
"We're going to stand up for the unborn kids who can't stand up for themselves," she said.
Bradley added, "Everybody deserves a chance to live."
In addition to the march on Thursday, the pilgrims also will attend a youth rally and visit the Holocaust Museum and the National Cathedral.
Junior high students from St. George in Herman and St. Peter's schools also are traveling with the group.
Adults were invited by the diocese through advertising in the Catholic Missourian and parish bulletins, Corel said.
"This is a big response," he said.
Because most pilgrims return from the march eager to get involved with other pro-life activities, the diocese provides informational booths at its pre-registration. Local organizations like St. Raymond's Society, Knights of Columbus, 40 Days for Life and the Pregnancy Help Center shared their community missions and the way people can volunteer.
The march emphasizes youth involvement to form a foundation for a pro-life viewpoint as they become adults, Corel said.
"I'm looking forward to standing up for something I believe is right," Schulte said.
The diocese organizers also hope participation will give students "courage throughout the year to speak out, to be knowledgeable and be passionate about the issue, but also friendly."
The nationwide march also is a time for prayer and encouragement "so we can bring more people into this wonderful world," Corel said. "We support moms in that situation."
Ultimately, the pilgrims agreed they hoped abortion would one day no longer be a viable option.
The Mid-Missourians traveled to St. Peter Church for prayer, then prayed and walked during a Eucharistic Procession the 2.3 miles to catch their buses at the St. Joseph Cathedral. Many were wearing green sweatshirts saying "I'm here because my parents gave me life and life is very good."
For Abby and Anna Vollet, their father, Kevin, was able to make arrangements at his workplace to travel as a chaperone.
"I hope we can change people's minds about abortion," Anna Vollet said.
Kevin Vollet said he expects to be encouraged by seeing thousands of people sharing the same thoughts.
"I think life is important," Kevin Vollet said. "I wanted to reassure myself that others share my viewpoint."