Catholics are being reminded that the National Prayer Vigil for Life is coming up in a couple of months, and they are being asked to participate during and before the event by praying for an end to abortion.

The National Prayer Vigil coincides with the March for Life, starting the evening before the march that falls near the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. It is jointly hosted yearly by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Pro-Life Secretariat, Washington, D.C.’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Office of Campus Ministry at the Catholic University of America.

“The National Prayer Vigil is a time to praise God for the great gift of the recent Supreme Court Dobbs decision, overturning the tragic Roe v. Wade decision made almost a half-century ago,” Kat Talalas, assistant director of pro-life communications at the USCCB, said in a release.

“State and federal legislators are now free to embrace policies that protect preborn children and their mothers,” Talalas continued. “Yet, there is still a great need for prayer and advocacy from the faithful, as there will be intensified efforts to codify Roe in legislation and policies at the state and federal levels. Many prayers and sacrifices are needed to transform our culture so that all may cherish the gift of human life and offer life-giving support to vulnerable women, children, and families.”

The vigil will open with a Mass at 5 p.m. Jan. 19. Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, who chairs the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will be the primary celebrant.

That will be followed by a Holy Hour for Life. A series of nationwide holy hours will be shared on the USCCB’s website.

A Mass at 8 a.m. Friday at the Basilica will close the vigil. Bishop Joseph L. Coffey will celebrate that service.

The Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) will air live broadcasts of the vigil from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19, and from 8 to 9 a.m. Jan. 20, and will be live-streamed on the Basilica’s website.

Those who can’t travel to Washington, D.C., will have opportunities to participate through local diocesan events.

The Church is also offering the 9 Days for Life novena from Jan. 19-27. A novena is nine days of prayer.

For more information, visit the USCCB website.