Catholics to observe nationwide prayer vigil for life
WASHINGTON – Catholics across the country are encouraged to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Jan. 21, marking the 49th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions legalizing abortion through nine months of pregnancy. Since those decisions, over 62 million abortions have been performed legally in the United States.
Each January, the National Prayer Vigil for Life is hosted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Pro-Life Secretariat, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life.
Due to pandemic precautions, the on-site Jan. 20-21 vigil events at the basilica will be condensed to a shortened evening program. The vigil is open to the public, but on-site participants will be required to wear masks at all times inside the building.
The Opening Mass will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20. The principal celebrant and homilist for the Opening Mass will be Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
After the Mass and during the night, holy hours led by bishops from various dioceses around the country will be shared on the USCCB’s website. The vigil concludes at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21 with the closing Mass celebrated by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap., of Boston.
The full schedule of the 2022 National Prayer Vigil for Life is listed below. (All times are in Eastern Time.)
Thursday, January 20:
5:15 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy
5:30 p.m. Opening Mass with Archbishop Lori
7 p.m. Holy Hour for Life
8 p.m. Livestream of bishop-led holy hours throughout the night
Friday, January 21: 8 a.m. Closing Mass with Cardinal O’Malley
Livestreaming information for the overnight bishop-led holy hours from various dioceses will be provided on the USCCB’s website.
The live television broadcasts on Jan. 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and on Jan. 21 from 8 to 9 a.m. will be provided by the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and will be available via livestream on the Basilica’s website.
For more information about on-site attendance at the Basilica for the National Prayer Vigil for Life, please visit the information page on the Basilica’s website.
Featured image: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. is seen Sept. 16, 2021. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
