My Dear People of God,

January is a month in which we focus our prayers and concerns to uphold the sanctity and dignity of life. During this time, across our Nation, annual “marches” and “walks” for life are taking place. January is a month which prompts us to offer our prayers and sacrifices for the protection of our “unborn” brothers and sisters. It is a time to pray for the graces necessary to help “form the consciences” of all Catholics, and to “bear witness” to the Lord of Life and his Gospel of Life.

Under the leadership of the pastor, parishes are encouraged to offer special opportunities to help focus our attention on combating this great evil of abortion and the “culture of death” which has gone on too long in our country and throughout the world. Let us offer prayers for this intention; rosaries; Divine Mercy Devotion; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hours; novenas; prayer time near abortion clinics; participation in the walks and marches for life; etc., all in reparation for the sin of the killing of innocent life within the womb - a travesty!

Let us pray for repentance and the conversion of women and men who have experienced, or have contributed to the act of an abortion. We pray for those who are in need of healing from the haunting consequences of this act. For them, we pray for forgiveness, and wholeness of peace of mind and heart.

“For the sake of his Sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!”
Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States, pray for us.

In the Peace of Christ,
Bishop Myron J. Cotta