A Day of Prayer and Penance

Today is the 36th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Please join in prayer with those across our country and around the world who are praying for an end to abortion. Please pray for those who are marching in Washington DC today, and for those who will march for the right to life in state capitols all over the country during this week. (Texans will march in Austin on Saturday, January 24th). And most especially, please pray for those who hearts are hardened and whose minds are closed, that they understand the reality that abortion is wrong, that it kills a living child. Pray that God will touch the heart of our new president, so that he will see and understand the truth.

Prayer of Reparation
God and Father of Life,
You have created every human person
And have opened the way for each to have eternal life.

We live in the shadow of death.
Tens of millions of your children have been killed
Thanks to the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Father have mercy on us.
Heal our land
And accept our offer of prayer and penance.
In your love for us,
Turn back the scourge of abortion.

May each of us exult in hearts full of hope
And hands full of mercy
And work together to build a culture of life.

We pray through Christ Our Lord.
Amen

“In His name you are also called to pray for an end to abortion in the United States and throughout the world. Roe versus Wade is incompatible with human dignity. It must not stand. It cannot stand. It will not stand.”

Cardinal Justin Rigali, homily at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
January 21, 2008