Life Runners conclude 5,000-mile relay at most pro-life College in America

“All in Christ, for pro-life!” college students shouted as they ran the last mile towards Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.  

The runners gestured towards friends watching the racers, inviting them to join in the last leg of the annual Life Runner’s annual “a-cross” America relay. The 5,124-mile relay kicked off in 4 cities in September, concluding at at Benedictine College on October 25.  

Life Runners is a national pro-life ministry founded in 2008 by Dr. Pat Castle that seeks to promote the Gospel of Life through advocacy and witness. 

“We are exercising our bodies and souls with this relay and promoting the Gospel of Life,” Castle said. “Watching the final leg and seeing students invite other students, I saw that it was good, saw that it was powerful, saw that by the symbology, it was holy, it was meaningful.”  

Watching students respond to the invitation to be witnesses for life, deeply moved Castle.  

“These students responded, they reacted, they joined in the mission,” Castle added. “That is a testimony to Benedictine College, that the students that go there, the students that are formed there, the whole system is one of putting your faith in action.” 

Castle watched in amazement as the entire college rallied around the final leg, welcoming the runners with joy and enthusiasm as they concluded the relay. 

“Coming into that final turn into the campus and cheering all in Christ for pro-life, all in Christ for pro-life, and turning that corner with that large crowd gathered in front of the dining hall, cheering, holding up remember the unborn signs, the big ‘Remember the unborn’ banner that served as a finish line, that was fantastic,” Castle said.  

Benedictine, Castle said, was the perfect place to conclude the national relay, not only as it is a central point for the cross to be formed around, but also for the college’s well-known pro-life position.  

“Benedictine College has earned the reputation of being a truly authentic, Catholic, and by definition, pro-life university,” Castle said. “From the leadership, of President Minnis and his decisions, and actions such as leading the student body weekly rosary, he leads by example. Then, you have, the action elements that the college does such as Benedictine College always having a great presence at the DC March for Life.”  

“It is clear that Benedictine College’s reputation as this authentic Catholic, by definition, pro-life institution is very credible.” 

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Naumann, from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, gave the finish line blessing to the life runners asking for the Lord’s continued blessing on participants and those they encountered. 

“Help them continue to be witnesses for life that Lord Jesus, you who are the way, the truth and the life,” Naumann prayed. “You have won the Victory over Sin and Death, the victory of life. Help us embrace the privilege to proclaim in our time and culture, life is victorious!” 

Even when they are not running, Life Runners play an important role in pro-life advocacy as when they were their shirts and talk with people, they are pro-life witnesses.  

“Forty percent of abortions occur in the college age demographic, so Life Runners on college campuses are critical as they are witnesses,” Castle said. “Of course, Benedictine, being a well-catechized place, they will be highly disproportionate to the stats I’m sharing. But nonetheless, even at Benedictine, there is, you know, temptation and people getting duped) and the wickedness and snares of the devil. So, there is still a need for peer ministry and encouragement.” 

Looking forward, Castle hopes to continue to partner with Benedictine College, as the two organizations missions go hand in hand.  

“Life runners thrive at Benedictine because it’s a great fit,” Castle said. “Our cheer is ‘all in Christ for pro-life’, and motto is ‘God first, life always, teammates forever.’ Those two resonate with ‘forward, always forward’ at Benedictine College.”  

“I think God is sitting back, watching this community of saints, the joy that they have when you see the lifesaving synergy and loving the Catholic synergy of the Life Runners finish line with Benedictine College,” Castle added. “It’s a beautiful thing.” 

By Jack Figge