The 2008 National Prayer Vigil for Life and related pro-life activities will take place in Washington, DC on Monday and Tuesday, January 21 and 22, 2008. A schedule and important information are available at the US Bishops’ Conference website. The event is scheduled yearly. January 22, 1974 marks the date of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the US.
Events begin at 7 pm with an opening Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Justin Rigali will be the principal celebrant and homilist. The vigil will continue through the night and conclude with Mass at 7:30 am, with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo serving as the principal celebrant and homilist.
Additional activities include a Rally for Life and Youth Mass, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, to be held on Tuesday from 8:45 am to 11:30 am at the Verizon Center in DC.
The culminating event is the March for Life on Tuesday. It begins at 12 noon with a Rally on the Mall in DC, near the Capitol, and continues to the US Supreme Court building. Approximately 200,000 marchers, including people of all faiths, are expected.
