Respect Life

Pro-Life Events – January 2025

NATIONAL PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE: JANUARY 23-24, 2025

The National Prayer Vigil for Life will be held from Thursday afternoon, January 23, through Friday morning, January 24, 2025, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The Opening Mass begins Thursday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour for Life starting at 7:00 p.m. The Closing Mass begins Friday, January 24 at 8:00 a.m. Please visit the 2025 National Prayer Vigil for Life website and the Frequently Asked Questions section on the USCCB website for complete information on the schedule and additional details.

LIFEFEST: JANUARY 23-24, 2025

The event will take place at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Organized by the Sisters of Life, the Knights of Columbus and the Diocese of Arlington, this event will have dynamic speakers, music, times of prayer, and Mass for those preparing to participate in the March for Life on Friday. For more information, please visit www.lifefestrally.com.

NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE: JANUARY 24, 2025

The 52nd annual March for Life will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, after a Rally on the Mall beginning at noon. For the latest information, please visit the March for Life website: https://marchforlife.org.

OTHER NATIONAL PRO-LIFE PRAYER EFFORTS IN JANUARY 2025

· Thursday, January 16 – Friday, January 24: 9 Days for Life (For more information, please visit: https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup.)

· Wednesday, January 22: Day for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (For more information about this day of prayer, go to: //www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/resources/january-22-day-of-prayer.cfm.)


January 22: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

www.usccb.org – Click for Spanish

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in its companion decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Since that time, millions of children have lost their lives, and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion.

On June 24, 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, and we praise God for the great opportunity state and federal legislators now have to protect preborn children. While God, in His mercy, ended the nearly fifty-year nationwide regime of abortion on demand, right now state and federal laws, in many instances, are still hostile to preborn children. So, great prayer and advocacy is needed.

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. The liturgical celebrations for this day may be the “Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life” (no. 48/1 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with white vestments, or the Mass “For the Preservation of Peace and Justice” (no. 30 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with violet vestments.

Resources

 


 

Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Area)

A Rachel’s Vineyard Catholic Retreat will be held the weekends of November 3-5, 2023 and March 8-10, 2024.  This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with the pain of abortion. Whether you are post-abortive or know someone who is, freedom awaits.  Contact Susan McKelvey at 610-716-4795 or [email protected].

IHM Spirituality Center

210 IHM Drive

Malvern, PA 19335

Delaware 

Currently there are no retreats planned for this area.  If information becomes available, the website will be updated.  If you have any questions, they can be directed to Nana Freeman at 302-463-7711 or the Office for Respect Life at 302-573-3130.

Click here for more information about Rachel’s Vineyard.


 

Helping Hope Bloom is an initiative of the Maryland Catholic Conference. It is about lifting up women who are pregnant and parenting with practical resources, prayer, and support.

The initiative has compiled ideas for parishes and individuals who want to do something – or do more – to help women in need.  You also can find resources available for pregnant and parenting women across Maryland, including a number provided through our Catholic ministries. Click here. 


How Will Decisions Be Made If I'm Incapacitated? - Russo Law Group

Catholic Advance Health Care Directive for Delaware   

Every person has the right to make his or her own medical decisions. But what happens if you become so seriously ill or injured that you can no longer make your own medical decisions or communicate them to those around you? That is when an advance heath care directive can be of great help. An advance health care directive, sometimes called a living will, is a legal document that allows you to give directions about your future medical care in the event you become unable to make your wishes known. An advance directive lets others know how you wish to be treated if you become seriously ill or injured and are unable to make decisions for yourself.  Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Catholic Advanced Health Care Directive. Click here to download the document and instructions.

 

Catholic Advance Health Care Directive for Maryland 

A copy of the Maryland Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, Comfort and Consolation Pastoral Letter, and Advanced Directive are available here. 

 


Birthright

Mission: At Birthright, we understand the challenges related to unplanned pregnancies. Birthright is available to women for as long as they need us. We offer love, friendship, and support to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.  Birthright is interdenominational and is not involved in any political activities, or lobbying. Birthright’s focus is on loving the mother, reminding her that there is hope and ensuring she is not alone.

Birthright of Wilmington
1311 N. Scott St
Wilmington, Delaware, 19806
United States
WebsiteBirthright of Wilmington
Phone: 302-656-7080

40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.

  • Prayer and Fasting: Each day during 40 Days for Life, individuals, churches, families, and groups will be asked to join together in prayer for a specific request so the entire Body of Christ can unite around a common focus.
  • Constant Vigil: The visible, public centerpiece of 40 Days for Life is a focused, 40-day, non-stop, round-the-clock prayer vigil outside a single Planned Parenthood center or other abortion facility in your community.
  • Community Outreach: During 40 Days for Life, the message is taken proactively to every corner of your community. Media outreach is conducted through carefully targeted news stories, talk shows, and editorials. Church involvement begins by meeting with local pastors, other church leaders, and members of different congregations.

For more information or resources, please visit their website – 40 Days for Life