“Prayer is the foundation of all that we do in defense of human life. Our efforts – whether education, pastoral or legislative – will be less than fully fruitful if we do not change hearts and if we do not ourselves overcome our own spiritual blindness. Only with prayer – prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and our souls – will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life.” U.S. Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities Prayer Opportunities Mass for Life Join us on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe for the Annual Mass for Life — a prayerful gathering celebrating the sanctity and dignity of every human life. As an offering in the mission to build a Culture of Life, we invite you to take part in a special Diaper Drive during the event. Your generous donations will support Walking With Moms In Need ministries throughout the diocese that provide monthly diaper assistance to families in need. Please drop off diaper donations in the conference room, located to the right of the Basilica entrance. Diaper sizes needed: 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Event Schedule: 10:00 a.m. – Special Guest Speaker, Christopher Ice: Living the Gospel of Life in Today’s World 11:15 a.m. – Bilingual Rosary with Adoration 12:00 p.m. – Holy Mass After Mass, enjoy a time of fellowship with food trucks and exhibitor tables available on site! Click here to learn more about this special event. Mass for Suicide Remembrance and Healing In September, Bishop John Noonan celebrated the annual Mass for Suicide Remembrance and Healing at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. This Mass is a testament to the unwavering love our Creator has for every soul, a message we extend to those battling inner struggles and those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Prayer Vigils & Other Sacred Liturgies Rooted in the Church’s steadfast teaching on the sanctity of every human life, we are called to pray for an end to the death penalty in our state. Let us lift our hearts in prayer for the repose of the souls of the victims, comfort and healing for their families, the conversion and salvation of those responsible, and for the governor to consider clemency. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops invites all parishes to host prayer vigils, Holy Hours, or other liturgical gatherings as a public witness to the dignity of life and to seek God’s mercy for all involved. For a list of upcoming prayer vigils throughout Florida, please visit Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Resources The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides many free resources that may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry. These resources undergo regular updates and assist Catholics in comprehending and appreciating the preciousness of human life. They also contribute to fostering a culture that upholds and safeguards this gift. Action Guide Action Guide feature ideas and tools to help integrate respect for human life into your own parish ministries or school. Catholic Mobilization Network (CMN) The Catholic Mobilization Network (CMN) holds monthly prayer vigils on the first Friday of each month. These vigils are dedicated to expressing grief for upcoming executions and standing as witnesses to the immutable value of every human life. General Instruction of the Roman Missal The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22 as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”. Parishes and Catholic schools are invited to hold Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the sacrifice of the Mass on this day. Praying/Sidewalk Advocacy Praying/Sidewalk Advocacy outside local abortion providers – Sidewalk Advocates for Life and 40 Days for Life Campaign locations. Respect Life Respect Life materials can be used in bulletins, newsletters, social media, classrooms, narthex/gathering, Culture of Life Resource Table for the Parish Ministry fair, and wherever else they would be helpful. USCCB Subscribe to all the following Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities here. To access additional Prayer and Devotionals, click here. Word of Life Word of Life is a monthly publication for parishes containing: Feature of the Month, Intercessions for Life, Bulletin Quotes Bulletin Art
