Parishes throughout archdiocese to participate
Catholics across the nation will petition the Blessed Mother to protect life and the family, establish peace and renew the Church on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 8 and 9, for the National Night of Prayer for Life.
Originating in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, in 1989, what started out as a local parish prayer initiative has now grown into a coast-to-coast event involving more than 700 parishes, Knights of Columbus chapters and other pro-life and Catholic organizations. The founders credit the intercession of Mary for its growth, specifically under her titles of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Catholics are asked to pray for the unborn, an end to abortion and for protection of the sanctity of human life. The annual evening of prayer spans the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 and the anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s first apparition to St. Juan Diego on Dec. 9.
PARISH OBSERVATIONS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS
Assumption (Mattese), 4709 Mattis Road in south St. Louis County
Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, 11 p.m. to midnight
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd. in St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica’s Pro-Life Ministry will join the Anima Christi young adult group at its regular Holy Hour to pray for the cause of life. The Holy Hour will begin immediately after 5:30 p.m. Mass Dec. 8.
Immaculate Conception, 2300 Church Road in Arnold
Mass at 7 p.m., followed by eucharistic adoration from 8 p.m. until midnight.
Mary Queen of Peace, 676 W. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves
Mass at 7 p.m., followed by Rosary and eucharistic adoration until 9 p.m., when prayers will conclude with Benediction.
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1014 Madison Ave. in Washington
Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, 7 p.m. to midnight
Sacred Heart, 17 Ann Ave. in Valley Park
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, prayer to St. Michael and silent prayer, 8 to 10 p.m.
St. Ambrose, 5130 Wilson Ave. in south St. Louis
Eucharistic adoration starting at 8 p.m. until Benediction at midnight
St. Clement of Rome, 1510 Bopp Road in Des Peres
Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by silent prayer until midnight
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 2 Seton Court in St. Charles
Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy in church after the 6:30 p.m. Mass
St. John Paul II Parish, 4980 Heege Road in Affton
Three hours of eucharistic adoration, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and prayer to St. Michael each hour after the 7 p.m. Mass on Dec. 8, concluding with Benediction at 11 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish, 1355 Motherhead Road in Cottleville
Eucharistic adoration from 9 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 8, with Rosary at the beginning of each hour
St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2618 S. Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 6 p.m. until midnight in the chapel
St. Paul Parish, 1223 Church Road in St. Paul
Prayer from 8 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 8 in the chapel
St. Peter Parish, 221 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles
Prayer from 8 p.m. to midnight in the parish chapel, including Rosary and National Night of Prayer for Life prayers
For up-to-date information on the National Night of Prayer for Life and participating parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, visit the Respect Life Apostolate’s website at STLRespectLife.org.
