Catholics nationwide are invited to join a prayer vigil Jan. 22-23 to pray for an end to abortion and greater respect for all human life.
The National Prayer Vigil for Life is held each January by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry. The vigil takes place on the eve of the March for Life, which commemorates the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
The Opening Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Jan. 22 in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will serve as principal celebrant and homilist.
A National Holy Hour for Life will follow at 7 p.m. in the Crypt Church (lower level) of the Basilica, including the recitation of the rosary and Benediction. Bishop James T. Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland will preside. The vigil concludes with the Closing Mass at 8 a.m. Jan. 23, celebrated by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop emeritus of Boston.
The full schedule and details are available on the Basilica’s event page.
EWTN will broadcast the Opening Mass and Closing Mass live, and both will be streamed on the Basilica’s website at nationalshrine.org/mass. Overnight, seminarian-led holy hours will take place from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. For more information on overnight holy hours and livestream options, visit the USCCB website.