The Diocese of Grand Rapids will observe a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on January 22. As Catholics, we are deeply committed and concerned about the need to protect human life from the time of conception to natural death.
Mass for Life
Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in observance of this day of prayer. All are welcome to attend!
Those attending Mass are invited to bring a donation for baby pantries in Grand Rapids and Muskegon run by Catholic Charities West Michigan. See details below:
When: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, 7 p.m.
Mass with Bishop Walkowiak to pray for the legal protection of unborn children
Where: Cathedral of Saint Andrew,
301 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Bring a baby pantry donation: Those attending the Mass are invited to bring a donation that will go to baby pantries operated by CCWM in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. (See this Amazon wish list for examples of needed items. Financial gifts also are welcome.)
Many prayer resources and ways to participate in this solemn anniversary can be found below. Please join us in praying for an end to abortion.
No Sin is Beyond God’s Unfathomable Mercy, says Bishop Thomas on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade (USCCB, Jan. 13, 2025)
Healing after abortion
If you or someone you know is interested in confidential help after abortion, please reach out to your parish, or visit the Project Rachel Ministry websites, www.HopeAfterAbortion.org or www.EsperanzaPosAborto.org for a listing of diocesan abortion healing ministries. For local resources and assistance, please visit Catholic Charities West Michigan’s Project Rachel web page. For a list of parishes in the Diocese of Grand Rapids visit https://grd.wphlab.com/parishes/.
Background – Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in its companion decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Since that time, millions of children have lost their lives, and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion.
On June 24, 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, and we praise God for the great opportunity state and federal legislators now have to protect pre-born children. While God, in His mercy, ended the nearly fifty-year nationwide regime of abortion on demand, right now state and federal laws, in many instances, are still hostile to pre-born children. Great prayer and advocacy continue to be needed.
All the faithful of the diocese are encouraged to observe Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Mass that evening will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew by Bishop David Walkowiak to reaffirm our commitment to the Gospel of life and to the protection of all human life from conception to natural death.
Día de Oración por la Protección Legal de los Niños (as) No Nacidos
El 22 de Enero de 1973, La Suprema Corte legalizó el aborto en todos los Estados Unidos, decisión que dio sobre Roe versus Wade y Doe versus Bolton. Desde entonces, millones de niños (as) han perdido la vida y millones de mujeres han resultado afectadas por la legalización del aborto.
El 24 de junio del 2022, la Organización de la Salud para la Mujer revocó la decisión Roe versus Wade y damos gracias a Dios por la gran oportunidad que ahora tienen los legisladores estatales y federales de proteger a los niños (as) no nacidos. Aunque Dios, en su misericordia, puso fin a cincuenta años a nivel nacional de práctica del aborto legal, ahora mismos la leyes estatales y federales, en muchos casos, siguen siendo hostiles para los niños (as) no nacidos. Por lo que, la oración y la defensa de la vida siguen siendo acciones muy necesarias.
Por eso, animamos a todos los fieles de la Diocesis a que observen el miércoles 22 de enero del 2025 como un Dia de Oración por la Protección Legal de los Niños (as) no Nacidos. Esa noche celebrará el Sr. Obispo David Walkowiak una misa en la Catedral de San Andres a las 7 PM con la finalidad de reafirmar nuestro compromiso con el Evangelio de la Vida y con la protección de toda la vida humana desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural.
Other opportunities in January/February to pray for, promote a culture of life
