Pray for the protection of life

By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

WASHINGTON | Catholics nationwide are preparing to pray 9 Days for Life, the annual pro-life novena beginning this year on Jan. 19.

In the Catholic Church, a ‘novena’ consists of prayers or actions over nine successive days. This pro-life novena is an opportunity for recollection and reparation in observation of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade— the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the United States.

Sponsored by the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 9 Days for Life began in 2013 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. This is the tenth year the novena is taking place. The overarching intention of the novena is the end to abortion. Each daily intention highlights a related topic and is accompanied by a reflection, educational information, and suggested daily actions. The novena encompasses the annual Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on Jan. 22.  

All are invited to sign up at 9daysforlife.com. Participants can receive the novena in English or Spanish via email or text message or access it online. Participants can share their pro-life witness and invite their social networks to pray on social media with the hashtag #9DaysforLife. A resource kit is available, and features the daily prayer intentions and reflections, among other materials. A press kit is also available. 

For additional information and updates throughout the novena, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

ARCHDIOCESAN ACTIVITIES

• In solidarity with those gathered in Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life, Archbishop Thomas Wenski will lead a rosary for an end to abortion on Friday, Jan. 21, at 1 pm. via Zoom. The meeting ID is: 853 1235 1788. The password is: rosary.
• On Saturday, Jan. 22, the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, St. Patrick Church in Miami Beach will host a Holy Hour for Life from 7 to 8 p.m. St. Patrick is located at 3716 Garden Ave., Miami Beach.