Cardinal O’Malley encourages Catholics to participate in nine days of prayer, penance and pilgrimage

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston said the more than 55 million abortions in the United States since the Rowe v. Wade decision reflect “with heartbreaking magnitude” what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.”

O’Malley, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Catholics can observe the 41st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the United States by participating in nine days of prayer, penance and pilgrimage by attending local events and by joining a nationwide novena via email, text, app and other formats.

“Our society relegates abortion to a matter of personal choice, often denying the integrity and even the recognition of the personhood of unborn children,” Cardinal O’Malley said. “However, we have great trust in God’s providence.”

Whether Catholics travel to Washington, D.C. for the Jan. 22 March for Life or not, Cardinal O’Malley encouraged them to join in “Nine Days for Life,” a period of prayer, penance and pilgrimage from Jan. 18-26. The centerpiece of the effort is a novena that will include daily prayer intentions and related content that people can subscribe to in either English or Spanish at www.9daysforlife.com. Other related materials and resources are available on the USCCB Web site. The social media hashtag for the novena is #9daysforlife.

As part of this focused period of prayer, Catholics are also encouraged to participate in local events that may be occurring, such as Masses, Holy Hours, blessings for pro-life pilgrims or a Holy Hour for healing for all impacted by abortion, which parishes are encouraged to hold Sunday, Jan. 26.

“By our participation in these Nine Days for Life, as we call upon the Lord for the healing and conversion of our nation and those impacted by the culture of death, we are also reminded–through the very act of prayer–of our beautiful dependence on God and His deep love for each of us,” Cardinal O’Malley said.