January 22 Day Of Prayer For The Legal Protection Of Unborn Children

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22 as a particular day of prayer and penance for abortion, called the "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children."

Full relevant section from the GIRM:

“373. Masses for Various Needs and Occasions are used in certain situations either as occasion arises or at fixed times.

Days or periods of prayer for the fruits of the earth, prayer for human rights and equality, prayer for world justice and peace, and penitential observances outside Lent are to be observed in the Dioceses of the United States of America at times to be designated by the Diocesan Bishop.

In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion. The liturgical celebrations for this day may be the "Mass For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life” (no. 48/1 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with white vestments, or the Mass “For the Preservation of Peace and Justice” (no. 30 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with violet vestments.”

Prayer is the foundation of all that we do in defense of human life. Say a short prayer orblessing. Meditate or ask God'sintercession. Devote some time to pray aHoly Hour, or commit to a novena or Stations of the Cross. Special prayers are called for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, abortion or other cause.

The U.S. Bishops called for pro-life petitions at every Mass in the "Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities." Our Word of Life series is an easy way to do this.

Every January, thousands of pilgrims travel to Washington to pray together for an end to abortion at the National Prayer Vigil for Life. If you can't join us, consider holding your own vigil for the unborn.

There's even a new "Mass For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life" in the new Roman Missal that can be used on the annual day of penance on January 22.

Everyone can find a way to praise and thank God for the gift of life and to ask for protection for each sacred human life.

Prayer For the Unborn child

  Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, 

protect against the wickedness of the devil, 

those helpless little ones 

to whom You have given the gift of life.

Touch with pity the hearts of 

those women pregnant in our world today 

who are not thinking of motherhood.

Help them to see that the child they carry

 is made in Your image,

as well as theirs, made for eternal life.

Dispel their fear and selfishness 

and give them true womanly hearts 

to love their babies and give them birth 

and all the needed care that a mother alone can give.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, 

Your Son, Our Lord, 

Who lives and reigns with You 

and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, 

Amen.