9 days for life: March for Life novena is for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a reflection and suggested actions to appreciate the gift of life.
About March for Life
March for Life is an annual rally and march event, initially started in Washington, D.C., against the legalization of abortion in the United States of America by the Roe v. Wade verdict of the Supreme Court of the nation.
Initially inaugurated as a one-off event in 1974 to put into motion actions to overturn the Roe v. Wade verdict, the movement would see its 49th year in its 2022 edition of the march. The first march was held on 22nd Jan 1974 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Roe v.Wade verdict.
This pro-life rally was first organized by Nille Gray, a Roman Catholic convert and inadvertently an anti-abortion activist. She was also an employee of the Department of Labour and an attorney. She died in 2012. The march has continued in her absence under the leadership of president Jeanne Mancini. It is organized and funded by March for Life Education and Defend Fund.
In the 1960s, the political and social sphere in America was alight with discussions and debates on sexuality, and women’s rights over their own bodies and public opinion on these matters were swaying.
It was in this socio-political scenario that the supreme court ruled in favor of the legalization of abortion in the states. But it wasn’t welcomed by all of the citizens of America alike and In its first year, the peaceful pro-life rally attracted a massive turnout of 20,000 supporters.
Even though the movement is not explicitly religious in any nature or capacity, its most loyal followers and supporters come from a religious and conservative backgrounds. Various religious, ethical, and Christian groups have launched their own program which is affiliated with the March for Life Association.
In recent history, the pro- movement has been vehemently opposed by modern feminism and pro-choice activist. While pro-life activists make abortion a moral issue, pro-choice activist thinks it an essentially a woman’s choice as to what to do with her body. Women who identified as feminists but opposed abortion were barred from attending the women’s march in 2017 in Columbia.
Facts about March for Life
Novena Starts: January 19th
Novena Ends: January 27th
Significance of March for Life
The rally for life has been attended by various important political figures throughout the course of its history. The-then presidents Ronald Regan and George W Bush addressed the rally via telephone. In 2020, President Trump became the first US President to attend the March for Life in person.
Read more: Mary Star of the Sea Novena
March for Life Novena 2024
The novena for life starts with an intention for each day.
Day 1
Intention
May the tragic practice of abortion end.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Intention
May each person suffering from participation in abortion find forgiveness, hope, and healing in Christ.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. John Neumann Novena
Day 3
Intention
May all who defend life find strength and renewal in the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Intention
May all unborn children be protected in law and welcomed in love.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 5
Intention
May all who support or participate in abortion experience a conversion of heart to seek and receive the Lord’s boundless mercy.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Hubert Novena
Day 6
Intention
May every expectant mother receive compassionate care and support as she nurtures the life in her womb.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Intention
May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Intention
May expectant mothers choosing adoption receive grace and support in embracing this loving option.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Intention
May the tragic practice of abortion end.
Prayer
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of
fear, pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable, and
help us bear witness to the truth that
every life is worth living.
Grant us the humility to accept help
when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions, may
others encounter the outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Lord’s Prayer in Spanish
I was looking for a novena to lead us up to our pilgrimage to the March for Life, or leading up to the anniversary of Roe v Wade on Jan 22nd. Why does this novena start on Jan 19th and end on Jan 27th?