Living Cultura Vitae

At Chesterton Academy of St. Louis, our motto Cultura Vitae—the Culture of Life—is more than an ideal. It’s a way of living, rooted in joy, courage, and the unshakable dignity of every human person.

Inspired by the witness of Pope St. John Paul the Great, we form students not just to know the truth, but to live it. That means organizing diaper drives for local pregnancy centers, visiting nursing homes, prayerfully witnessing outside abortion clinics, welcoming families with intentionally affordable tuition, and joyfully building community through family-centered events.

But perhaps nowhere is Cultura Vitae more powerfully on display than when our entire student body joins the March for Life. In 2024, we joined up with Chesterton Academy of St. Philip Neri in Jefferson City of the Missouri March for Life. This year, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, we traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to stand for life alongside our sister school, Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Peoria. We began the day with Mass celebrated by Bishop Paprocki, encountered and prayed for protesters, sang as we marched, lifting our voices for those who cannot speak, and ended the day with adoration and confession.

In a world that often forgets the value of life, our students are learning to remember—and to rejoice in it. 

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Reflections from our students:

"The Illinois ProLife March was a truly beautiful experience. I think what really struck me was the joy present. Our culture's attach on life is a sobering thing, but we did not forget the joyful side of why we march: we celebrate the incredible gift of life! We sing, we cheer, and we let the world know through our joy that life is sacred, beautiful, and to be treasured." 
-Mary S.

"People say the faith in America is dying, but it couldn't be further from the truth. It was amazing going to a Mass filled with hundreds of young people fervent with the faith, ready to march to save lives. The joy in that crowd, especially from our school, was contagious." 
-Felicity J.

"It was a glorious day to pray and spend time with God - with Mass in the morning and a holy hour in the afternoon, this retreat greatly strengthened my bond with God. The march itself was fun and cheerful while singing songs with friends!" 
-Simon W.

"The ProLife March was an impactful experience for me, having witnessed how joyful and excited the pro-life attendees were in comparison to the pro-choice protesters." 
-Jim S.

"I had such a wonderful time at the Illinois March for Life. Being able to participate in the march and hearing the inspiring stories of the speakers was an amazing experience. It was heartwarming to see so many pro-life teens there when many shy away from the topic. I especially loved cheering and singing with my friends! I can't wait until next year!" 
-Julia S.

"Being able to go as a school to the Illinois ProLife March was such an incredible experience. The all-around atmosphere of joy and love was moving, and it was noticeable how much everyone cared about the cause." 
-Mary S.

"There is a serene beauty to being present at a pro-life march. It is important to visibly defend the defenseless, to help the helpless, to defend and uphold the truth. This Culture of Life we are seeking to build will only stand if we stand with it." 
-P.P.

"Rallying around the capitol building in Illinois in defense of human life and dignity was a powerful experience. The number of people present - professing proudly that they would not succumb to the great evil that is abortion - filled me with a great sense of courage and hope. We should all be encouraged to stand up to these atrocities and fight to preserve every life, as each is created in the image and likeness of God."
-Andrew M.

"The Illinois ProLife March was awesome. Sometimes we can feel alone in what they believe, but when we band together, our cries rise over those of evil. Our love overcomes hate." 
-Augustine Y.

"Some of my favorite moments of the march were the enlightening speeches and unity felt in the midst of the pro-life crowd (despite the people shouting against us). Another fond memory was shouting the rosary and other prayers as we marched around the capitol building. I look forward to standing for life with others again!" 
-Regina P.

"At the pro-life march, I was struck by the way hundreds of people from different backgrounds united together to defend a just cause without squabbling. Lesser disagreements were set aside by the necessity of defending life." 
-Ruth F.

"My favorite part of the ProLife March was the speeches during the rally. I really didn't know how awful abortion was until I heard the accounts of babies being taken out of their mothers' wombs limb by limb. It was also inspiring to see them keep talking despite the pro-abortion protesters screaming through megaphones ." 
-Katie M.

"The most impressive and influential part of the pro-life march for me was the unity shown by the pro-life community. We stood together like a Phalanx, which is how victory will be achieved." 
-Fritz H.
*a phalanx is a military formation, packed tightly together