By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
WASHINGTON | As Miami teens and young adults prepare to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has invited Catholics and others to join the nationwide “9 Days for Life” campaign.
“We’re praying for a lot of things this month, including racial harmony, Christian unity, and the protection of all human life,” Cardinal Dolan said. “As we pray for that unity, I invite our brothers and sisters in Christ to join in the ‘9 Days for Life’ prayer campaign. Together, our prayers and actions can witness to the dignity of the human person.”
The Archdiocese of Miami's Respect Life Ministry will be taking 98 students and chaperones from 10 local high schools to the March for Life. The group will arrive Wednesday, Jan. 25, and depart Saturday, Jan. 28. These students will attend Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the day before the March, as each day of their stay will begin with Mass. Their trip also will include a half-day retreat dealing with life issues, confession, adoration, and prayer vigils at the White House and Supreme Court buildings.
The archdiocese's Youth and Young Adult Ministry is taking 55 young adults, who will leave for Washington Thursday, Jan. 26, and return Sunday, Jan. 29. Their itinerary includes a rally, confessions and Mass prior to the March for Life, along with retreat, adoration, confession, and evening prayer. On Saturday, Jan. 28, the group with attend Mass at the Basilica and visit the St. John Paul II National Shrine.
In addition, Archbishop Thomas Wenski has taped a short video welcoming the pilgrims and offering a challenge to the Miami ones upon their return from Washington.
Locally, parishes have been asked to conduct a Holy Hour of Reparation on Sunday, Jan. 22, to recognize the 44th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the day the Supreme Court announced its decision legalizing abortion.
9 Days for Life is the U.S. bishops’ annual prayer and action campaign around the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy. It occurs this year from Saturday, Jan. 21 to Sunday, Jan. 29.
Each day treats a different aspect of respecting the dignity of the human person — from the beginning of life to its natural end.
At a time when many are attending demonstrations and marches in person, novena participants are encouraged make a kind of “virtual pilgrimage.” In solidarity with tens of thousands, they can pray daily, gather for fellowship and discussion, and share their experiences on social media with the hashtag, #9daysforlife.
The website, www.9daysforlife.com, features a video with Cardinal Dolan calling the campaign “a great way to put our faith into action.” The site offers four ways to receive the daily prayers, suggested reflections, and practical actions, including links to the free “9 Days for Life” smartphone app.
The campaign will be featured on the People of Life Facebook page, on Twitter @USCCBprolife, and in the bishops’ Instagram feed.
