Jan. 22 Day of Prayer & Penance

In 2021, the Day of Prayer is observed on Friday, Jan. 22 .

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, along with its companion case, Doe v. Bolton, legalized abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy in every state in the nation.

The General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM), n. 373, designates January 22 (or January 23 when the 22nd falls on a Sunday) as a particular day of prayer and penance called the "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children".  All the faithful in dioceses throughout the country are called to observe this day in a spirit of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for the violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.

We can observe this day through special prayers, fasting, sacrifices, and acts of charity (similar to our Lenten practices), both communally in our parishes as well as individually in our own spiritual lives. 

CLICK HERE to download suggestions for observing the Jan. 22 Day of Prayer and Penance.

More resources and information from the USCCB here.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELATED EVENTS IN THE DIOCESE OF WORCESTER 

More links:
March for Life
9 Days for Life National Novena - Jan. 21-29

If your parish is planning a special event on or near the Jan. 22 Day of Prayer please email details to aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org and we will post to this list.

Annunciation Parish, Gardner:
Mass and Adoration in observance of the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children will be held at Annunciation Parish in Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St., Gardner on Friday, Jan.22. 9:00 a.m. Mass followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day and concluding with a Holy Hour at 7:00 p.m.  Enter the church by the ramp door. Additional details at AnnunciationGardner.org 

St. James Parish, South Grafton:
Join us on Saturday, Jan.23 for 9:00 Mass followed by Life Chain in front of the parish at 10:00. St. James Parish, 89 Main Street, South Grafton.
A Divine Mercy Holy Hour for an End to Abortion will be held Every Friday at 3:00 pm at St. James Church, 89 Main St., South Grafton.  All are welcome.

Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish, Spencer:
Join us for Mass at Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish, 7 Church St., Spencer, to pray for respect for life from conception to natural death on Friday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and will pray the Stations of the Cross for life.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Webster:
Please join us at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 18 E. Main St., Webster on Friday, January 22 in the main church where there will be Eucharistic Adoration from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Mass for the Protection of the Unborn will follow at 7:00 pm.  Please enter the church by the ramp door (from church parking lot on Granite St.)

St. Cecilia, Leominster:
Adoration will be held beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concluding with Benediction at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 at St. Cecilia Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster.  All are welcome.