National Prayer Vigil for Life set for January 22–23 in Washington
Catholics throughout the United States are being called to participate in a nationwide prayer vigil from January 22 to January 23, 2026. The purpose of the event is to pray for an end to abortion and promote greater respect for all human life.
The National Prayer Vigil for Life is organized each year by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, along with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry. This vigil coincides with the eve of the March for Life, which commemorates the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
The Opening Mass will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 22 in the Great Upper Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will serve as principal celebrant and homilist.
Afterwards, a National Holy Hour for Life is scheduled for 7:00 PM in the Crypt Church (lower level) of the Basilica. This hour will include recitation of the Rosary and Benediction, presided over by Bishop James T. Ruggieri from the Diocese of Portland. The vigil concludes with a Closing Mass at 8:00 AM on Friday, January 23, celebrated by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., archbishop emeritus of Boston.
Further details and a full schedule can be found on the Basilica’s event page.
The Archdiocese of Philedelphia serves more than 1.3 million Catholics across five Pennsylvania counties and focuses its efforts on faith education, community support and social services through more than 200 parishes (official website). Its main worship site is the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (official website), and it offers outreach through agencies such as Nutritional Development Services and Catholic Social Services.
The Archdiocese also operates as a metropolitan see within Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic structure (official website), working to spread Gospel teachings and provide charitable assistance.
