Leading up to the date that will mark the 40th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, the nation’s bishops are calling for nine days of prayer, penance and pilgrimage.
Jan. 22 is the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
On Jan. 25 in Washington, DC, and on Jan. 26 in San Francisco, marches will be held in protest of the law and in support of women facing difficult pregnancies.
“Since that tragic [Supreme Court] decision, more than 55 million children’s lives have been lost to abortion, and the lives of millions of their parents have been shattered,” a statement on the bishops’ Web site noted.
The bishops’ novena initiative runs from Jan. 19 to 27.
This time period, focusing on the theme of pilgrimage, includes:
— Blessings of pro-life pilgrims (en español)
— A novena sent from the bishops’ site to email or via text message
— Youth and young adult activities (“Pro-Life Profiles” and a high school age video contest)
— Closing Eucharistic Holy Hour
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On the Net:
More information: www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/january-roe-events/nine-days-of-prayer-penance-and-pilgrimage.cfm
To sign up to receive the novena via text messages: Text “9days” to 99000
