Every January, thousands of pilgrims from across the nation come to the Basilica to pray for an end to abortion, and hundreds of thousands gather in Washington, D.C. for the March for Life. In today’s post, we invite you to meditate on a collection of prayers, verses, reflections, and more as we honor the dignity of the unborn and celebrate the gift of life.
What is the National Prayer Vigil for Life?
When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Catholic community was shocked. Babies came under attack in the place where they should be the safest – their mother’s womb. Seeing the great need for prayer for the unborn, American Catholics decided to hold the first National Prayer Vigil for Life under the title of the National Rosary for Life and All-Night Vigil in the Crypt Church of the Basilica. Learn more about how this event grew and why it’s so important.
The Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children – A Reflection
January 22 has been designated by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal 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.” Learn about why we in the Church are called to defend the unborn and pray for justice for them.
10 Verses About Life
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, children are described as a blessing from the Lord to the faithful; the Scriptures tell us that each life is valuable because human beings are created in the image of God, to reflect His glory. Learn what the Bible says about the unborn and the value of life in these 10 verses.
What does the Church teach about the unborn?
Since the early days of the Church, Christians have set themselves apart from the culture by taking a stand for life. From the Christian teachings the Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) and Letter of Barnabas to the writings of St. Augustine and Pope John Paul II, the Church has recognized that life is inseparably connected to the God who created it. Learn more about the Church’s teachings on the unborn from the Apostolic Era to recent times.
Reflect on These Prayers for the Unborn
We in the Church are called to pray for those affected by the legalization of abortion – from the babies whose lives are tragically ended, to the mothers convinced that abortion is their only option, to those working in the abortion industry. As you pray for those in your community who are struggling to choose life, we encourage you to reflect on these prayers.
Prayers for the Unborn
Though many choose to ignore the tragedy of abortion, we as believers have a duty to defend the defenseless and take a stand for human life. We pray that God will work in the hearts of those considering abortion and reveal the truth to them. In this post, reflect upon another collection of prayers for life – for the unborn, for medical professionals and researchers, and for the advocates for life.