January 22, 2015 is the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children” in the United States.” On this day, we each are called to “prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.” – General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373.
Pope Saint John Paul II wrote in Evangelium Vitae, no. 100* that “A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.”
Each of us is called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As a community, St. Mark’s Church will begin this day with 8 AM mass to be followed by our monthly day of Exposition and concluding with a Holy Hour of prayer and benediction, for the legal protection of unborn children from 7 PM to 8 PM.
Please join us during January 22nd for mass, adoration and/or the Holy Hour to pray for the right to life and for an end to abortion. If you are unable to be present at St. Mark’s, please unite your prayers with ours. Remember, we pray with great hope and trust in God’s love for we “receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” – 1 Jn 3:22
Deacon Frank