9 Days for Life novena for the protection of human life set for Jan. 21-29

USCCB

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WASHINGTON — Catholics across the country are invited to take part in the “9 Days for Life” novena Jan. 21-29 for the protection of human life.

Each day’s intercession is accompanied by prayers, a short reflection and one or more suggested actions for novena participants to take to help build a culture of life, such as pledging to participate in a parish-based program called Walking With Moms in Need.

Participants can go to the website www.9daysforlife.com to sign up for emails or texts about each day’s intercession, in English and Spanish. The site also has a link to materials for the novena as well as resources for parishes.

The pro-life novena, sponsored by the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, encompasses the annual Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children Jan. 22, the day the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade and its companion case, Doe v. Bolton.

It coincides with the annual March for Life usually held in Washington every January to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

This year’s national rally and march is planned for Jan. 29 but it will be livestreamed, with pro-life advocates across the country asked to participate virtually.

Many of the bus caravans from the Midwest, long a staple of the event, were canceled last fall as a result of the pandemic, and the assault on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 and threats of subsequent violence by domestic terrorist groups, as reported by the FBI, made security impossible.

On Jan. 15 Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Defense and Education Fund, announced the changes in the event. She said she and a small group of other pro-life advocates, including clergy, maybe some politicians and a handful of Knights of Columbus, will walk from the National Mall to the Supreme Court to carry out the march portion of the national March for Life.

An example of the novena reflection, from Day One, says in part: “At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God’s love. ... Christ invites us to embrace our own lives and the lives of others as true gifts. Abortion tragically rejects the truth that every life is a good and perfect gift, deserving protection.”

One of the suggested “acts of reparation” for the first day is: Take a break from television and movies and consider spending some of that time praying with the day’s reflection.

9 Days for Life Daily Intercessions 

Day One: Jan. 21 - Intercession: May the tragic practice of abortion end.

Day Two: Jan. 22 - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Intercession: May all unborn children be protected in law and welcomed in love.

Day Three: Jan. 23 - Intercession: May every expectant mother receive compassionate care and support as she nurtures the life in her womb.

Day Four: Jan. 24 - Intercession: May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.

Day Five: Jan. 25 - Intercession: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope and healing in Christ.

Day Six: Jan. 26 - Intercession: May expectant mothers choosing adoption receive grace and support in embracing this loving option.

Day Seven: Jan. 27 - Intercession: May all who support or participate in abortion experience a conversion of heart to seek and receive the Lord’s boundless mercy.

Day Eight: Jan. 28 - Intercession: May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance.

Day Nine: Jan. 29 - March for Life, Washington, DC

Intercession: May all who defend life find strength and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

Source: www.9daysforlife.com