National Prayer Vigil for Life

Friday, Jan. 23, 2015

WASHINGTON (USCCB) — More than 10,000 pilgrims, many of them youth from schools around the nation, are expected to gather in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to pray for an end to abortion at the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 6:30 p.m., the eve of the annual March for Life. The vigil coincides with the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision on Jan. 22, 1973, which legalized abortion nationwide. Since the decision was handed down, an estimated 56 million abortions have been performed legally in the United States.

“The 2015 National Prayer Vigil for Life takes place at the heart of the bishops’ 9 Days for Life novena calling for an end to abortion and other offenses against human dignity, as well as healing for our violence-wounded nation,” said Deirdre McQuade, assistant director for pro-life communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). “It’s held on the eve of the single largest annual civil rights demonstration, the March for Life. Together we stand in solidarity with the unborn and pregnant women alike, working in peace toward the day when all vulnerable lives enjoy the full protection of the law.”

“That is why we march, and that is why we pray,” she added.

 

– Familiarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the rosary.

– Make the Sign of the Cross.

– Holding the crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed.

– On the first bead, say an Our Father.

-Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.

– Say the Glory Be.

– For each of the five decades, announce the mystery, then say the Our Father.

– While fingering each of the 10 beads of the decade, next say 10 Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery. Then say a Glory Be. (After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.”)

– After saying the five decades, say the “Hail, Holy Queen,” followed by this dialogue and prayer:

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

(SOURCE: USCCB) 

 

-The Joyful Mysteries

-The Luminous Mysteries (The Mysteries of Light)

-The Sorrowful Mysteries

-The Glorious Mysteries 

 

– Apostles’ Creed

– One Our Father

– Three Hail Marys

– One Glory Be

–  The five decades of each mystery; each decade consists of one Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and one Glory Be (The Doxology)

– Conclude the rosary with the Hail Holy Queen ( The Salve Regina).