Day Of Prayer For The Legal Protection Of Unborn Children
The over 56 million abortions since the 1973 decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton reflect with heartbreaking magnitude what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.” However, we have great trust in God’s providence. We are reminded time and again in Scripture to seek the Lord’s help, and as people of faith, we believe that our prayers are heard.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22 as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”: “In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.”
January 23, 2023: Mass and March for Life on the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
We are joining again with Dicocese of Lafayette in Indiana and Right to Life of Indianapolis for a day of prayerful witness in remembrance of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This will take place on Monday January 23, 2023 .
The Day Events:
10:30 am Mass at St. John the Evangelist with Archbishop Thompson followed by a peaceful March to the Capital building and Rally at the South Steps of the Indiana State House.
For March details please email Marc Tuttle at marc@rtlindy.org or Mary Doughtery mary@rtlindy.org
Go to the Indiana March For Life Page for more details
Join us for all or part of the day's activities. For more information, please email Brie Anne Varick or call 317-236-1543.
9 Days for for Life
What is 9 Days for Life?
9 Days for Life is an annual period of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life. Surrounding the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children*, the overarching intention of the centerpiece novena is the end to abortion.
However, the novena also highlights many other facets of respecting each other's God-given dignity, especially by respecting human life at every stage and in every circumstance.
9 Days for Life is an opportunity to:
- PRAY for the respect and protection of each person's life
- GATHER together in prayer, action, and fellowship with others
- SHARE your stories online!
When is it?
Who is invited to participate?
Anyone can join individually at www.9daysforlife.com!
What are some ways to particpate?
1) Pray: The novena's short prayer guides highlight a different topic each day with five sections: intention, prayers, reflection, suggested actions, and related topical information.
All the following options for obtaining the novena will be accessible from www.9daysforlife.com in the months leading up to January.
- Subscribe to receive daily text messages
- Text 9DAYS to 55000* for monthly text messages with new prayer intentions for life and access to reflections, suggested actions, and more! (Bonus: You'll automatically receive the 2017 9 Days for Life novena.)
- Receive emails/ en español
- Download the free mobile app from iTunes or Google Play. (An update notification will be sent to app users prior to the 2017 novena.)
- Webpage version / en español - Check back for 2017 updates!
- Join the Facebook event/ en español - Check back for 2017 updates!
- Printable version / en español - Check back for 2017 updates!
(black-and-white: English, en español)
- Follow on social media: Twitter / en español -- Facebook / en español -- Instagram
2) Gather: Join together with others in prayer, action, and fellowship. Organize or attend local events sponsored by dioceses, parishes, schools, etc., and/or host private gatherings of friends and family.
- Ideas for sponsored events: Special blessing at send-off Mass or Holy Hour for pilgrims attending a march or rally (suggested blessing available online: "Order for the Blessing of Pro-Life Pilgrims before Their Journey"); service project related to one of the topics highlighted in the novena; workshop on chastity, Theology of the Body, or sexual ethics.
- Ideas for private gatherings
- Invite some co-workers to pray and discuss the novena together over lunch.
- Choose one of the acts of reparation to do together as a family, and invite another family to join. (Example: Write notes to people who are lonely or needing encouragement.)
- Pray a Rosary with a family member or friend using pro-life prayer intentions (en español).
- Host a movie night to watch a pro-life movie or other age-appropriate films or documentaries on life issues. Contact the Office of Human Life and Dignity at (317) 236-1569 to borrow a pro-life film!
3) Share: Share how you participated in 9 Days for Life on a particular day, why you are participating, or what being pro-life means to you.
- Post your filled-in "selfie sign" (en español) or a 5-15 second video using #9DaysforLife and tagging @USCCB on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. We'll pick from the best to share!
- You can use the special cover photo and/or profile picture for your social media accounts from January 21-29, 2017 (or longer)!
- Use the social media kit with pre-written posts to share the novena's daily intentions, as well as other respect life images and information.
What are some tools available to help raise awareness and engage people?
Leaders are encouraged to promote and incorporate 9 Days for Life into their regular programming and/or to host special, related events during this time. To aid leaders in these efforts, a leaders' toolkit will be made available online with promotional, programmatic, and prayer resources.
(Check back to the leaders' toolkit page for updates!)
- Promotional: Pulpit/bulletin announcements; flyer; graphics (suitable for bulletins, emails, websites, newspapers, and more); 10" x 13" ad; pre-written articles.
- Programmatic: Social media toolkit; selfie sign; Coffee & Conversation (discussion guide on additional pro-life articles); youth/young adult ministry guide (adaptable for other ages).
- Prayer: 9 Days for Life novena; pro-life Rosary prayer intentions; Holy Hour templates; list of options for Mass readings for the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children; pro-life intercessions for the Prayer of the Faithful; homily notes; Order for the Blessing of Pro-Life Pilgrims.
Why are the Bishops asking us to join?
Each January 22 our nation marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case which legalized abortion during all nine months of pregnancy. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss—often in silence.
As Catholics, we recognize the inherent dignity of every person in every circumstance and at every stage of life—from conception to death. Yet we continue to see many threats to life and violence against it. We cannot look the other way. As Pope Francis noted during his visit to the United States, our "care for one another is care for Jesus himself."
Is there anything else you should know?
You can sign up any time of year at www.9daysforlife.com! Throughout the year, the webpage features email and text message subscription options for monthly messages structured like the novena's daily prayer guides. (By signing up, you'll also automatically receive the novena in January.)
Related pages are accessible throughout the year, and there will be more information on 9 Days for Life prominently displayed on www.9daysforlife.com during the time leading up to January 22, 2019.
Are you bringing a bus to Washington D.C. March For Life? Let know, we will Pray for You!
