The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is inviting the faithful to join together in “Nine Days of Prayer, Penance, and Pilgrimage” which will take place January 19-27.
“On January 22 and January 25, our nation will remember the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade,” the bishops announced. “Since that time, more than 55 million children’s lives have been lost to abortion, and the lives of millions of their parents have been shattered.”
As part of the bishops recent call to prayer, they are launching nine days of prayer, penance and pilgrimage to begin on Saturday, January 19 and conclude on Sunday, January 27. The novena will take place during the annual March for Life, which will be held on January 25 this year, an event that is expected to draw record crowds.
A special website has been set up for the Novena which lists the daily prayers. These include an intercession; recitation of one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s, and a Glory Be; a reflection; suggested acts of reparation; and facts about abortion.
Participants in the novena can sign up here to receive these prayers by e-mail. They can also be obtained by text message by texting “9days” to 99000.
In addition to the novena, January 22, has also been set apart by the bishops as a “Day of Prayer and Penance for Life” to mark the 40th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in America.
“In all of the Diocese of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23 when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life, and of penance for violations of the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion,” the bishops state.
The liturgies for this day can be either the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life or the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice.
During these celebrations, blessings will be given to children in the womb, and to pilgrims who will be attending the March for Life.
Prayer services for forgiveness and healing may also be held during this time.
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