More than 250 central Illinoisans signed up for the annual trip to the nation's capital for the 2016 March for Life Youth Pilgrimage.

Buses departed early in the day Jan. 20 from various points throughout the Springfield diocese. Twenty-three groups representing 27 parishes or congregations were on board, including one group from the neighboring Diocese of Peoria.

"All corners of the diocese were represented," said Kyle Holtgrave, associate director of the Ministry to Youth and Young Adults. "From St. Brigid in the northwest, St. Cecilia in the southwest, to Immaculate Conception in the northeast and Sacred Heart in the southeast."

The pilgrims' busy schedule included morning and evening prayer, a Mass celebrated by Father David Hoefler, diocesan vicar general, prior to the pro-life rally on the National Mall and the march to the U.S. Supreme Court building. Visits to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and tours of various memorials and historic sites in Washington were also scheduled.