UPDATED: Bishop calls for monthlong prayer campaign to end abortion, including statewide day of prayer and fasting

January 5, 2021 at 9:47 p.m.
UPDATED: Bishop calls for monthlong prayer campaign to end abortion, including statewide day of prayer and fasting
UPDATED: Bishop calls for monthlong prayer campaign to end abortion, including statewide day of prayer and fasting


Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has set out a plan for prayer and advocacy throughout January in response to the anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States and the growing concern for the sanctity of the child in the womb. Through private prayer and virtual Masses, the faithful are asked to support the campaign aimed at ending the scourge of abortion.

“As the new year begins, there are many issues in society that challenge our Catholic moral and social teachings,” the Bishop said. “Opposition to abortion remains our 'pre-eminent priority.' ... As a Diocese, as parishes, let us pray for an end to abortion, for the legal protection of the unborn and in thanksgiving to God for the gift of human life.”

ROSARY FOR LIFE . . . The Diocese’s faithful are asked to pray a Rosary for life throughout the month of January.

NOVENA . . . From Jan. 14-22, Bishop O’Connell will lead a daily broadcast of a Novena to St. Joseph to End Abortion which will be published on all diocesan media outlets.

DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING TO END ABORTION . . . On Jan. 22, the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the Diocese of Trenton will join the other New Jersey (arch)dioceses in observing a Day of Fasting and Prayer to end abortion.

On this day, parishes throughout the Diocese will celebrate the Mass for Legal Protection of the Unborn.

In a letter issued Jan. 5, the New Jersey bishops write:

As we mark this tragic event in our nation’s history, we remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and pray for the mothers and fathers left to suffer the tragic effects.

The Catholic Church is committed to protecting all life from conception to natural death. We will work vigorously to ensure the laws of our state and country protect and defend the intrinsic dignity of all people.

Signed by the bishops of the five Roman Catholic arch(dioceses), as well as two Eastern-rite dioceses, the letter concludes with a prayer:

We humbly implore our Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Protectress of the Unborn, to intercede on our behalf that these efforts to end abortion are guided by mercy, compassion, and above all charity.

To view the letter, click HERE.

IN LIEU OF MARCH FOR LIFE . . . In keeping with public health recommendations to avoid crowds and closed-in settings due to COVID-19 infection risk, the Diocese and its parishes will not sponsor or organize travel to Washington, D.C., for the National March for Life Jan. 29. Instead, the Diocese encourages the faithful to keep a local focus by participating on that day in a Mass of Thanksgiving to God for the Gift of Human Life, celebrated by Bishop O’Connell, which will be available online beginning at 11 a.m.

For more information and links to these observances, visit TrentonMonitor.com as well as youtube.com/trentondiocese.


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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has set out a plan for prayer and advocacy throughout January in response to the anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States and the growing concern for the sanctity of the child in the womb. Through private prayer and virtual Masses, the faithful are asked to support the campaign aimed at ending the scourge of abortion.

“As the new year begins, there are many issues in society that challenge our Catholic moral and social teachings,” the Bishop said. “Opposition to abortion remains our 'pre-eminent priority.' ... As a Diocese, as parishes, let us pray for an end to abortion, for the legal protection of the unborn and in thanksgiving to God for the gift of human life.”

ROSARY FOR LIFE . . . The Diocese’s faithful are asked to pray a Rosary for life throughout the month of January.

NOVENA . . . From Jan. 14-22, Bishop O’Connell will lead a daily broadcast of a Novena to St. Joseph to End Abortion which will be published on all diocesan media outlets.

DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING TO END ABORTION . . . On Jan. 22, the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the Diocese of Trenton will join the other New Jersey (arch)dioceses in observing a Day of Fasting and Prayer to end abortion.

On this day, parishes throughout the Diocese will celebrate the Mass for Legal Protection of the Unborn.

In a letter issued Jan. 5, the New Jersey bishops write:

As we mark this tragic event in our nation’s history, we remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and pray for the mothers and fathers left to suffer the tragic effects.

The Catholic Church is committed to protecting all life from conception to natural death. We will work vigorously to ensure the laws of our state and country protect and defend the intrinsic dignity of all people.

Signed by the bishops of the five Roman Catholic arch(dioceses), as well as two Eastern-rite dioceses, the letter concludes with a prayer:

We humbly implore our Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Protectress of the Unborn, to intercede on our behalf that these efforts to end abortion are guided by mercy, compassion, and above all charity.

To view the letter, click HERE.

IN LIEU OF MARCH FOR LIFE . . . In keeping with public health recommendations to avoid crowds and closed-in settings due to COVID-19 infection risk, the Diocese and its parishes will not sponsor or organize travel to Washington, D.C., for the National March for Life Jan. 29. Instead, the Diocese encourages the faithful to keep a local focus by participating on that day in a Mass of Thanksgiving to God for the Gift of Human Life, celebrated by Bishop O’Connell, which will be available online beginning at 11 a.m.

For more information and links to these observances, visit TrentonMonitor.com as well as youtube.com/trentondiocese.

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