More than 10 thousand people walked in the National March for Life and Family in the Polish capital on September 18. Similar marches are organized in 150 localities in Poland, and gather several hundred thousand people. Participants were greeted by Polish President Andrzej Duda.

This year’s March in Warsaw was under the motto “I Promise You.” The phrase alluded to the wedding vows. Accordingly, at the beginning of the 17th March for Life and Family, spouses renewed their marriage vows.

In a special video message, Polish President Andrzej Duda greeted the March participants. “I am very happy that you are again marching through the streets of Warsaw. Grandparents, parents, children and parents-to-be form a great joyful community here today. Together you are giving public testimony of your commitment to the noblest ideals. You express the conviction that a strong family means a successful future for our Country. I thank you from the heart for this,” said the Polish President.

Participants marched through the streets of Warsaw with Polish flags and colorful balloons. In addition, spouses carried specially desined cards on which they wrote their names and the number of years of married life. There were also various banners with the mottoes: “Life is beautiful,” “Long live children,” or “Fatherhood begins at conception. Equal responsibility. Equal rights”.

“We are building one big community, a group of people who are strong defenders of life, marriage and family. We bear public witness that marriage as an institution is extremely valuable. It needs to be defended, especially today, when it is under heavy attack and in crisis,” said Pawel Ozdoba, President of the Center for Life and Family in charge of organizing the March.

Parents with children, spouses, public figures, members of movements and associations, priests, and senior people walked in the march. A solemn Mass was celebrated at the end. The event was held under the honorary patronage of Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

It was the 17th March for Life and Family in Warsaw. Similar marches are organized in about 150 locations in Poland and gather hundreds of thousands of people.