WASHINGTON — The pro-life generation took to the streets of Washington for the March for Life to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision and the ongoing tragedy of legal abortion. But they left with a mandate to build a culture of life in their home communities.

“Our theme seemed to resonate with people, that ‘Every life is a gift,’” said Jeanne Monahan, president of the March for Life. “We tried to emphasize, especially, the reality that little ones who receive a difficult diagnosis in the womb often are brought to term and tried to educate about the wonderful and inherent dignity of every human person.”

The march began with a noon rally on the Washington Mall, as pro-life leaders, faith leaders and a bipartisan group of pro-life lawmakers spoke in defense of human life.

An hour later, a mass of humanity streamed out on Constitution Ave., following the March for Life banner on its route past the U.S. Capitol to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I want history to remember that there were many people who are pro-life during the holocaust of abortion,” said Friar of the Renewal Father Agustino Torres, co-founder of Latinos por la Vida (Latinos for Life), as members of the group walked the march, which was broadcast on EWTN.

Unofficial estimates for the crowd ranged between 200,000 and 600,000 people. No official count exists, either from the U.S. Park Police or the March for Life organizers. The Catholic Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the Verizon Center on the eve of the march — a small slice of the march’s pro-life gathering — sold out at 18,000 participants.

Many Catholic colleges and universities showed their presence at the march. The University of Notre Dame brought its largest contingent ever to the march, as approximately 690 students, 50 faculty and university president Father John Jenkins marched to the Supreme Court building.

“We’re here on behalf of the university to witness to the culture of life and defend every life, from conception to natural death,” said senior Erin Stoyell-Mulholland, adding that the university’s strong presence “speaks to the culture of life that we seek to promote at Notre Dame and throughout the world.”

Students and teachers from Catholic high schools marched under pleasant skies for an event that usually takes place in bitter cold and snow.

Julia Hilliard, a high schooler from Gabriel Richard Catholic High School in Riverview, Mich., told the Register that her parents were advised to abort her 12-year-old brother, who has Down syndrome.

“He’s so happy and the kindest kid I know,” she added. “It just upsets me when people abort kids because of their disabilities.”

Catholics from all over the country marched with their parishes, dioceses and even their bishops.

“I feel really invigorated,” said Nick Schattle, a youth minister from O’Neill, Neb. The Archdiocese of Omaha’s contingent traveled 22 hours by bus to the march with Archbishop George Lucas.

“Even Pope Francis tweeted about the March for Life today, and that really re-energized us for this mission,” he added, referencing a social media shout-out Pope Francis gave to the march.

Byzantine Bishop John Kudrick of the Eparchy of Parma marched with fellow Eastern Catholics and presided over prayers to Our Lady known as the “Akathist hymn” outside of the Supreme Court.

“Although there are natural reasons why abortion is horrible and horrific, the Church has a very special message that [Christ’s] drawing us to himself begins at conception … that union with God comes through our humanity,” he said, “and so we must proclaim our faith in that — or else the rest of life is meaningless, if it is meaningless before birth.”

Approximately 40 counterprotesters held up the march’s progress by blocking the path in front of the Supreme Court until police arrived and made eight arrests.

The March for Life’s Monahan said that the march is now inviting participants to build a culture of life with concrete steps.

The march’s “Give Life Challenge”  will send texts once a month with different ideas to build a culture of life in the recipients’ own communities.

“The march is really energizing and invigorating, but if it doesn’t lead to action in our local community, it is all for nothing,” she said.

“So we think, by doing this, we’re going to really build a culture of life in the United States.”