Catholics to participate in 9 Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage
January 22, 2013: In a statement released last week, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, Chairman,
Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Catholic Bishops Conference of the U.S. has called
upon all Catholics to participate in "Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage,"
from January 19-27, to mark the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v.
Wade decision.
"Our nation greatly needs our prayers and personal sacrifices,"
said Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley of Boston. "The evil of abortion inflicts unimaginable
pain, but Jesus offers us healing and renewal." He said. “January 22, 2013 marks the
40th anniversary of the tragic U.S. Supreme Court rulings Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.
Without grounding in the Constitution, law or human rights, these decisions have made
it legal for the past forty years in the United States to end the life of an unborn
child. Since then fifty-five million children never had the chance to be born. The
scope of this loss is staggering, yet the Court and many in our society relegate it
to a matter of personal choice.
As part of the ongoing response to innocent
children's lives being taken with the protection of the law, the U.S. Catholic bishops
have launched a major pastoral initiative calling for prayer and penance to promote
and build a culture of life, marriage and religious liberty.” He said. He invited
Catholics in the United States to join him in the novena. It includes daily prayer
intentions for the healing and conversion of the nation, for elected officials who
support abortion, and for all people whose lives have forever been changed by an abortion.
The novena is available through social media, text messaging and email, to be helpful
for youth and other pilgrims travelling to pro-life events and marches and for those
wishing to participate from their parishes and homes.
“Our nation greatly
needs our prayers and personal sacrifices. The evil of abortion inflicts unimaginable
pain, but Jesus offers us healing and renewal. He came not to condemn us, but to free
us from the burden of the wrongs we have done so that all might be saved. His Divine
Mercy knows no limits; we need only to ask his forgiveness. If you know of anyone
suffering from the effects of an abortion experience, please encourage them to seek
help.” He said.
“It is our hope and prayer that our defense of human life
and religious freedom, our witness to the dignity of each and every human person,
our compassionate service and our prayers calling on the infinite love and mercy of
God will spark a renewal of love and commitment to the true good of others. Only a
love that seeks to serve those most in need, whatever the personal cost to ourselves,
is strong enough to overcome a culture of death and build a civilization worthy of
human beings created in God's image”, He added.