Bishop Solis calls for six-week pro-life prayer effort

Friday, Nov. 29, 2019

SALT LAKE CITY — Bishop Oscar A. Solis is again asking the Catholics of Utah to make praying for the victims of abortion a special focus during their daily prayers beginning on Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This Diocesan Prayer Journey for an End to Abortion will continue through Jan. 21, culminating in a special Mass for the Unborn at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. 

This is the third year that the bishop has asked his flock to join him in prayer in this way.

“We can’t be indifferent and spectators in the midst of this evil … where humanity is taking the power to decide who can live and who can die,” he said at this year’s Mass for the Unborn on Jan. 17. “Now is the time to put our faith into action and work for the kingdom of God … to march together, to proclaim the value of the life of everyone, men and women. This is our mission of truth.”

“It is our moral responsibility to share our Christian belief that every person is a masterpiece of God from womb to tomb, but that is nothing if it remains simply words,” he added. “We must be beacons of hope to the world; we have a responsibility to be the light of the world in the midst of this darkness.”

Embarking on this prayer journey during Advent “when all prepare for the birth of Jesus makes so much sense,” said Veola Burchett, director of the diocesan Office for Marriage and Family Life. “We hope this will raise awareness. It  is primary that we respect life beginning in the womb to the end of natural death; it is in the womb where life starts, that it is most vulnerable and must be protected.”

Since the 1973 Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision was approved legalizing abortion, more than 60 million abortions have been performed in the United States.

During this Diocesan Prayer Journey for an End to Abortion the faithful may choose their own prayers, or prayer cards are available at https://www.dioslc.org/offices/office-of-marriage-and-family/348-life.

 Bilingual Rosary at the Monument for the Unborn 

Sunday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 275 U St., SLC

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m. Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, SLC. Bishop Oscar A. Solis will preside. Bilingual; ASL interpretation will be offered.

Saturday, Jan. 25, 1 p.m. at the State Capitol, 350 N. State St., SLC. This event is not sponsored by the Diocese of Salt Lake City but local Catholics are encouraged to participate. 

Sunday, March 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 7405 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan. Jean Hill, director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, will speak on advocating for life issues at the legislature.