On Thursday, January 19, many clergy and parishioners from the Diocese of Pittsburgh will participate in the all-night National Prayer Vigil for Life, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Typically, the Mass overflows the 3,500 seats in the Great Upper Church. Many participants remain overnight during the National Holy Hour for Life, which continues until the 8 a.m. closing Mass. The opening and closing Masses will be live-streamed at www.nationalshrine.org/mass.
“This is a time to show our commitment to protecting unborn children, to supporting women with crisis pregnancies and families who struggle to raise children in difficult circumstances,” Bishop Zubik said.
“Last year’s Supreme Court decision did not end abortion – and has aroused fierce opposition to the right to life. We march in love for all people, from conception until natural death. We pray that those who support abortion will come to see that unborn children are human beings, entitled to human rights.”
The National March and Rally for Life on January 20 has been held every year since 1974 to mourn the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Last year’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision allowed states to set limits on abortion but does not mandate such limits or establish human rights for unborn children.
The National March for Life is sponsored by an independent advocacy organization but has high Catholic participation. It has historically drawn at least 100,000 participants in a typical year.
A pre-rally concert will begin at 11 a.m. on the National Mall, and the rally at noon. At 1 p.m. the marchers will begin walking toward the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. Prior to Dobbs, the march ended at the U.S. Supreme Court Building, where speakers from the Silent No More movement will continue to testify about why they regret having had an abortion. The Rally and March for Life will be live-streamed at: https://bit.ly/MarchLifeYouTube.
Historically, several thousand people from Southwestern Pennsylvania have gone to the event. The Knights of Columbus compiled a partial list this year, showing buses that are going from Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Mercer counties.
Some parishes are sponsoring local events in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. In Bridgeville, Corpus Christi Parish is sponsoring the Bridgeville March for Life at noon, January 20, starting at noon at Holy Child Church, 212 Station Street, and including prayers outside the Bridgeville office of Planned Parenthood.