We are so excited that our "Morning of Prayerful Remembrance" will be televised from St Patricks Cathedral this year on Saturday, January 15th. It is a wonderful way to enter into prayer for the anniversary of Roe vs Wade, and a way for those who may not be able to get to Washington to do something to commemerate all those who have been touched by abortion.
We are also, happy to say that it continues to spread throughout the country and that other diocese will be doing it as well, among them Paterson in NJ, and also In Texas.
For information on how to do the service please contact us. All materials are provided. Here is the description to give you a better idea of what it is. Hope those of you in the NY area are able to make it!
An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance and Intercession
Description:
Each year as the anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, the truth that the wounds of abortion impact each of us in our respective communities manifests itself anew and in an ever more vigorous way: far beyond those directly involved in the act of abortion itself - whether it be one’s co-worker, one’s neighbor, friend, relative, fellow parishioner - we have all been affected by the loss of each aborted child and by the often hidden suffering of their post-abortive parents.
An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance and Intercession (APRI) is, as its name suggests: a prayer service, created in the spirit of the New Evangelization, for the entire local community. Acknowledging abortion’s universal impact through reflections and testimonies offered as part of the day, it gives the opportunity for all of us to come together in an extended period of prayer, contemplation, and intercession in the context of the Church’s Sacraments, seeking forgiveness and healing for our entire nation. The day includes an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a period of silent, Eucharistic Adoration and concludes with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Purpose:
- To offer a concrete expression for the USCCB’s nationwide Day of Prayer and Penance on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade; while APRI could be done anytime during the year it is a particularly appropriate event on or around Jan 22
- Attempts, by its very nature and the advertising surrounding it, to bring a greater awareness of the far-reaching effects of the sin of abortion on individuals and society as a whole (see Sample flyer)
- Looks to promote awareness of post-abortion healing and appreciation for its vital role in building an authentic culture of life
- While intended for every one in the community, hopes to specially draw those silently suffering from a personal loss to abortion (woman, men, grandparents, relatives, friends, siblings…) safeguarding their anonymity through the universal, communal prayer aspect
