Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Dioceses throughout the United States observe the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on January 22. It is a day set aside in a particular way to pray for pre-born children and to pray for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the gift of life and to thank God for that gift.

"Every human life, unique and unrepeatable, valid in itself, constitutes an inestimable value. This must always be announced again, with the courage of the word and the courage of actions," said Pope Francis.

January 22 was chosen for the day because it is the day that U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973. In 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, but pre-born children are still threatened in many states, including Maine, which expanded abortion access in 2023.

Prayer for Life

Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty and fashion human lives in your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

(Source: USCCB)

Intercessory Prayers

For the legal protection of unborn children and for loving support for their mothers before and after their births, we pray to the Lord:

May all who suffer from participating in abortion turn to God’s loving forgiveness; We pray to the Lord:

For public servants, may God grant them the humility, wisdom, and courage to defend all human life; We pray to the Lord:

For our nation, may God unite us in peace and respect for each other and reverence for all human life; We pray to the Lord:

May friends and families of women with difficult pregnancies provide loving, life-affirming support for both mother and child; We pray to the Lord:

Masses / Services in our Diocese

Falmouth

The ACTS Ministry of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Portland and Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Falmouth invites everyone to attend a Sanctity of Life Prayer Service, which will be held Sunday, January 25, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road in Falmouth. The service will include adoration, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Benediction Bring your family and your neighbors. Let's all gather to pray for the protection of the vulnerable among us. FMI: Peter Mullaney at 207-329-5889.

Houlton

St. Mary of the Visitation Parish will hold a Mass followed by a special Holy Hour for the Protection and Defense of Life on January 22, in commemoration of the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. The Mass will be held at 6 p.m. at St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street in Houlton.