Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life - January 28, 2021

as we prepare for the holy sacrifice of the mass please join in praying the holy rosary meditating on the luminous mysteries the following meditations on the mysteries of light are offered as a prayer for all life from conception to natural death in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit amen i believe in god the father almighty creator of heaven and earth and in jesus christ his only son our lord who was conceived by the holy spirit born of the virgin mary suffered under pontius pilate was crucified died and was buried he descended into hell on the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of god the father almighty from there he will come to judge the living and the dead our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus hail mary full of grace the lord is with me blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit o my jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of health lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of thy mercy the first mystery of light the baptism in the jordan the lord jesus is baptized in the jordan river by john the baptist as a voice cries to us from the heavens this is my beloved son hear him let us listen to christ and with his grace work for the protection of every person from conception to natural death our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven holy mary mother of life bless each unborn child with the abundance of your love hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life nurture the unborn child and make him stronger each day hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life protect the unborn child from all selfishness and sin hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life embrace the unborn child with the tenderness of your love hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life fill the heart of each unborn child with a love for your son hail mary full of grace the lord is with me blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life fill the heart of remember new fathers whose hearts are afraid make them strong hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life fill the heart of each unborn child with the wonder of god's love hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life remember new mothers tempted by abortion hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life stand by grandparents of each child in the womb hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life comfort those whose unborn child has died hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end amen oh my jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell lead all souls into heaven especially those in need of thy mercy the second mystery of light the self-manifestation at the wedding at cana when they had run out of wine jesus blessed water and turned it into wine may jesus transform the darkness of sin and death in the proclamation of the gift of life our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven holy mary mother of life help us to keep your words do whatever he tells you hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life be with all newly married couples hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life lead all newly married couples to jesus your son hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life inspire those who prepare for marriage with your faithful love hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life intercede for all couples in the first year of their marriage hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life rejoice with us in the gift of married love hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life be present with all the saints and angels at every wedding hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus [Music] holy mary mother of life stand vigil with parents by the sick bed of their child hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life be with each child on the day of first communion hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life inspire each parent with your unselfish love hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus [Music] glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit oh my jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell lead all souls to heaven especially those most need of thy mercy the third mystery of light the proclamation of the kingdom of god jesus called the crowds to conversion proclaiming that the kingdom of god is at hand may this world choose life and turn from all that leads to darkness and death our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven holy mary mother of life pray for all new mothers in need of your example hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thy among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life pray for all new fathers that they may that they might be like saint joseph your spouse hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life stand by all godparents who seek to lead their children to your son hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life inspire the church to follow your example of holiness of life hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thy among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life inspire us that we might turn from sin and be faithful to the gospel hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life intercede for parents who do not believe in your son hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life cradle each little baby in your loving embrace hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are the among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life stand vigil by the crips of crying infants hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life intercede for parents tempted by fear or despair hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thy among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life remember new parents confused or alone hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thy among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit oh my jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell lead all souls to him the fourth mystery of light the transfiguration the lord jesus led peter james and john with him to the top of the mountain where he was transfigured in light and his garments shone whiter than snow may christ's glorious light shine on all who dwell in the shadow of darkness and sin our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven holy mary mother of life show us the sacredness of newborn life in jesus your son hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life brighten our hearts with the joy of those who see new life hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life through the darkness of sin lead an aching world to the light of your son hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed heart thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life be at the cradle of each newborn child hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life guide the hands and hearts of obstetricians and those who helped them hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life hear the cries of women in painful labor hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life cradle each stillborn child in your maternal tenderness hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus [Music] holy mary mother of life weep with us at the wonder of new life hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life stand vigil with every expecting father hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life be present in each neonatal unit hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit oh my jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell lead all souls to heaven especially those most in need of your mercy the fifth mystery of light the institution of the eucharist on the night before he suffered he took bread blessed it broke it gave it to his disciples and said take this all of you and eat it this is my body when supper was ended he took a cup filled with wine gave it to them and said take this all of you and drink from it for this is the cup of my blood strengthened by the holy eucharist may we work to proclaim the gospel of life and defend all who are endangered by the culture of death our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven holy mary mother of life give your courage to newly pregnant mothers hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life intercede for those fearful of a child in a child's impending birth hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life hastened to pray for all expectant parents hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life stand by the relatives and friends of all expectant parents hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life remember those forgotten by the world hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life bless all who shelter pregnant mothers hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life watch over children abandoned or uncared for hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life look with compassion on single mothers who expect a child [Music] hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus holy mary mother of life be a model of expectant joy for all your children hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus [Music] holy mary mother of life hasten to proclaim the fruit of your womb to all peoples hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit oh my jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell lead all souls into heaven especially those in most need of thy mercy hail holy queen mother of mercy our life our sweetness and our hope to thee do we cry poor banished children of eve to thee do we send up our sighs mourning him weeping in this valley of tears turn that most gracious advocate thine eyes of mercy towards us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb jesus o clemental loving o sweet virgin mary pray for us the holy mother of god [Music] let us pray o god whose only begotten son by his life death and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life grant we beseech thee that by meditating on these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the blessed virgin mary we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through the same christ our lord amen in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit amen [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] god is [Music] he [Music] he established peace [Music] me [Music] he sends out his word to him [Music] he scatters [Music] [Applause] see [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] he has oh see [Music] [Applause] [Music] please be seated good evening it is my privilege as rector to welcome you to this basilica of the national shrine of the immaculate conception for the opening mass of the national prayer vigil for life we are happy to have archbishop joseph naumann as the celebrity and homeless for tonight's mass archbishop naumann is the archbishop of kansas city in kansas and the chairman of the united states conference of catholic bishops committee on pro-life activities we are also honored to have with us the absolution to the united states archbishop christophe pierre as nuncio archbishop here is the personal representative of our holy father pope francis to our country and unite us more closely with the holy father we welcome as well the archbishop for the military services archbishop timothy broglio together with one of the auxiliary bishops for the archdiocese of the military services bishop joseph coffey a warm welcome to each of you who join us here in mary shrine and a very special warm welcome to those who join us through our live stream broadcast catholic tv new evangelization television catholic faith network we are one body radio and the eternal world television network whose generosity has made this broadcast possible for those present here in mary shrine remind you that for the entirety of mass you must wear your face mask covering both your nose as well as your mouth and for the reception of holy communion please not leave your pew until asked to do so by one of our ushers as we join in prayer this evening giving thanks to god for the gift of human life during this year of saint joseph may saint joseph who protected the child jesus and our lady pray with us this night for the protection of all life and the defense of the most vulnerable among us please stand in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit peace be with you and senior rossi thank you for your welcome and thank you and all of the priests and all of the staff here at the shrine for making this celebration possible under these unusual circumstances and so my dear brothers and sisters let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries i confess to almighty god to you my brothers and sisters that i have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words and what i've done what i've failed to do through my fall through my fall through my most grievous fall therefore i ask blessed mary ever virgin all the angels and saints and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the lord our god and may almighty god have mercy on us forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life [Music] is [Music] see let us pray god our creator we give thanks to you who alone have the power to impart the breath of life as you form each of us in our mother's womb grant we pray that we whom you have made stewards of creation may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life through our lord jesus christ your son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit one god forever and ever amen a reading from the book of the prophet isaiah me o islands listen o distant peoples the lord called me from birth from my mother's womb he gave me my name he made of me a sharp edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm he made me a polished arrow in his quiver he hid me you are my servant he said to me israel through whom i show my glory i thought i had toiled in vain and for nothing uselessly spent my strength yet my reward is with the lord my recompense is with my god for now the lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb that jacob may be brought back to him and israel gathered to him and i am made glorious in the sight of the lord and my god is now my strength it is too little he says for you to be my servant to raise up the tribes of jacob and restore the survivors of israel i will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth the word of the lord [Music] [Music] i praise you for i am [Music] one praise you oh lord you have probed me you know me you know when i sit and when i stand [Music] i praise you [Music] you have formed you knit me in my mother's room [Music] nor was my frame unknown to [Music] you [Music] [Music] a reading from the first letter of saint john beloved this is the message you have heard from the beginning we should love one another unlike cain who belonged to the evil one and slaughtered his brother why did he slaughter him because his own works were evil and those of his brother righteous do not be amazed then brothers and sisters if the world hates you we know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers whoever does not love remains in death everyone who hates his brother is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him the way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers if someone has if someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion how can the love of god remain in him children let us not love in word or speech but in deed and truth now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn for god is greater than our hearts and knows everything beloved if our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence in god the word of the lord [Music] hallelujah [Music] your words are [Music] you have the words of everlasting life [Music] a reading from the holy gospel according to luke mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of judah where she entered the house of zechariah and greeted elizabeth when elizabeth heard mary's greeting the infant leaped in her womb and elizabeth filled with the holy spirit cried out in a loud voice and said most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb and how does this happen to me that the mother of my lord should come to me for at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears the infant in my womb leaped for joy blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the lord would be fulfilled and mary said my soul proclaims the greatness of the lord my spirit rejoices in god my savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant from this day all generations will call me blessed the almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name he has mercy on those who fear him in every generation he has shown the strength of his arm he has scattered the proud in their conceit he has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty he has come to the help of his servant israel for he has remembered his promise of the promise he made to our fathers to abraham and his children forever mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home the gospel of the lord dear friends this is my third and final opportunity to have the privilege to preach this annual vigil mass for the march for life in my homily two years ago i commented on the magnificent mosaics that adorned this basilica basilica dedicated to our lady and i observed however that the most beautiful the mosaics was the pack congregation in the pews of the basilicum this evening we have a lot of missing pieces to that mosaic though the basilica has the maximum crowd permitted by the dc covet protocols it's minuscule to in comparison to our usual throng welcome to all those who are able to be with us in person thank you for your presence tonight and all those virtually so many more virtually with us this evening thank you for your dedication to witness the gospel of life tonight i'm attempting to visualize in my imagination the thousands participating hundreds of thousands virtually thanks to the eternal word network and to all of those other means of communications that monsignor rossi mentioned on behalf of the bishops of the united states i want to thank ewtn and all of the partners for their outstanding coverage annually not only of the vigil mass but the rally the march and all the other activities related to this somber annual commemoration of those infamous decisions by our nation's highest court those erroneous flawed decisions resulted in the loss of more than 62 million american lives millions more than any other event in the history of the united states and as justice amy coney barrett expressed in her confirmation hearings the row and doe decisions are far from having the features of settled law as is evidenced by many statutes passed in state legislatures annually testing and challenging the assumptions of roe and dope and just to illustrate that i'm proud to say in my home state of kansas today our state senate passed by a two-thirds majority what our house had done last week an amendment to the kansas constitution to rectify the kansas supreme court's same mistake they claim to have discovered a right to abortion in the kansas constitution that nobody knew was there and today with that two-thirds supermajority in both of our chambers of the legislature it will now move to a ballot vote for kansans to decide this but that's just one illustration of what's happened in so many states these past 48 years it seems like 10 years have passed since last year's gathering within less than two months of this mass our nation for the first time in our history was experiencing a national lockdown necessitated by the global coronavirus pandemic most of the country remains in some stage of lockdown even today more than 400 000 of our citizens have died and many more have been hospitalized many children have lost almost an entire year of in-person education many small businesses have been shuttered and millions of people have lost jobs we all hope with the vaccines available and the large number of americans who have recovered and gained immunity from the virus we will return to a semblance of normalcy soon and hopefully very soon gradually in the midst of this terrible tragedy we have witnessed points of light doctors nurses and health care workers have shown incredible courage in caring for the victims of the pandemic our dedicated catholic school teachers and other school teachers are true american heroes who with bravery and commitment to their students have reopened and kept open many schools in the past several months catholic charities and other types of ministries similar ministries both catholic and other denominations other faith groups have served even more people with fewer volunteers to help the economic victims of this menacing plague through the creativity and determination of our priests and deacons religious sisters and lay leaders our parishes have continued to provide the sacraments to the maximum degree possible i commend especially our priests many of whom at some personal risk labored heroically to ensure that people approaching death had the benefit of the sacraments one of the unanticipated blessings of the past year was the swearing-in of supreme court justice amy coney barrett the makeup of the court has vastly improved in the last four years and there is legitimate hope that the u.s supreme court could modify or even reverse the decisions that we commemorate each year at this time perhaps the greatest bright spot in our nation's response to covet 19 was the extraordinary measures that we have taken to protect the most vulnerable those with pre-existing health conditions in the elderly in a culture where euthanasia and assisted suicide have gained traction it has been heartening that our covet protocols are not based on a biased quality of life ethic our policies have communicated to our elderly that their lives are important and treasured and i've been edified by our young people who have made many educational and social sacrifices even though they are much less at risk in order to protect their grandparents and other old people like me it is a moment when we see signs of ours inside of our society embracing in part the gospel of life ethic where every life is valuable no matter age or physical or mental limitations economic status race or ethnicity if i may speak personally for a moment the most significant event of the year for me was the death in late september of my 97 year old mother my mother reminded me frequently that everything i ever needed to know i learned in kindergarten because she was my kindergarten teacher mom did not have an easy life my father was murdered a week before christmas in 1948 when my mother was three months pregnant with me a young widow mom went back to college to earn a degree in education miraculously through many personal sacrifices my mother was able to provide for me and my brother on a catholic elementary school teacher's salary that is a minor miracle and in the final years and months of her life my mother like many elderly wondered because so many of her family and friends and contemporaries had gone if god had forgotten her through most of her life mom had tremendous energy and the ability to operate on only a few hours of sleep however in her 90s she slept a lot and if you ask her if she slept well she would quit sleep is what i do best mommy asked the question why am i still here and i reminded her of all the people's lives she had touched in our family and our many in her many friendships in her apostolic work as a very active member of the legion of mary as a teacher and a principal i said to her mom i think god has you here for us your family you've done so much for us and you continue to inspire us with your faith god wants to give us the opportunity to return some of the incredible love you have given to us you are helping us become better more like you mom was a widow for more than 70 years and i asked her if she was looking forward to seeing my dad when she left this world and her eyes lit up and she said of course but even more i want to see jesus she wanted to die in her sleep she thought it would be cool to go to sleep and perhaps wake up in the presence of the lord i told her mom as much as you sleep the odds are with you god granted her wish last september my mother taught me powerful lessons about the beginning and the end of life in this world i was part of a crisis pregnancy my mother was a single mom i'm certain she never considered abortion with the support of family and friends she embraced the circumstances and challenges that she would never have chosen with the support of family and friends as well as her abiding trust in god she created a home life while inspiring and influencing many lives and her vocation as a catholic educator in the final years and months of her life mom taught me the importance of treasuring our elderly and those with disabilities we can learn so much about life from them they help make us better as they draw forth love from us some christians claim that the bible is silent on the morality of abortion they question the validity of the application to the circumstances of today of the treatment of abortion found in the book of exodus what these christians ignore is how frequently the scriptures speak about the wonder awe and beauty of life in the womb the bible speaks of children as a blessing in fact fruitfulness is recognized as a great gift from god our readings from us tonight reveal this great biblical respect for human life before birth being from kansas from the heartland of the united states about as far as one can get from any coast i must note in our first reading from isaiah the prophet declares hear me o coastlands listen o distant peoples now as in the time of isaiah the people of the coast could learn a lot of wisdom from those of us from flyover country what does isaiah say in his time to those on the coast the lord called me from birth from my mother's womb he gave me my name a few verses later the prophet observes for now the lord has spoken who form me as his servant from the womb that jacob may be brought back to him and israel gathered to him isaiah goes on to say that he is being called to be a light for the nations in tonight's psalm we hear the psalmist declare to god truly you have for my immo speed you knit me in my mother's womb i give you thanks that i am fearfully and wonderfully made wonderful are your works my soul you also knew full well nor was my frame unknown to you tonight's gospel passage from luke is both fascinating and instructive the pregnant mary makes the arduous journey to the hill country of judah to visit her pregnant cousin elizabeth the archangel gabriel told mary that the formerly baron elizabeth conceiving in her old age was a sign for our lady of the truth of the miraculous conception of the child conceived in her womb elizabeth's pregnancy was a sign that nothing is impossible for god when elizabeth heard mary's voice the infant leaped in her womb and under the inspiration of the holy spirit elizabeth cries out most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb elizabeth still under the influence of the holy spirit is the first one in the bible to acknowledge jesus as lord as she wonders and how does this happen to me that the mother of my lord should come to me elizabeth calls jesus her lord while he's an unborn child in the womb of mary elizabeth goes on to marvel for at the moment the sound of your greeting reach my ears the infant of my womb leap for joy of course for the jew well versed in the scriptures all of the phrases that luke employs to describe this encounter between the pregnant mary and the pregnant elizabeth with the leaping unborn john the baptist are reminiscent of david leaping before the ark of the covenant as he brings it from the hill country of judah to jerusalem the illusion is clear mary is the new ark of the covenant why because she carries in her uterus something even more precious than the torah she carries the very life of god within the tabernacle of her womb how could the bible be more explicit about the sanctity of life in utero the life of jesus did not begin with his birth in bethlehem but had his conception by the holy spirit in the womb of mary in the gospel we see the pregnant elizabeth and unborn john the baptist are the first to recognize jesus as lord even though he is only in the first trimester the first three months of his bodily existence in this world how can a christian not be pro-life how can someone who ponders the bible with an open heart not recognize its affirmation of the humanity of children in utero the biblical picture is clearer than the highest definition ultrasound about the reality of life in the womb but what about those who are not christian who do not believe in biblical revelation does one need revelation to recognize the humanity of life within the womb sadly in 1973 the supreme court claimed that science had no idea when human life begins it was not true then and the evidence is even stronger today science and reason are not on the side of abortion advocates the discovery of dna the unique genetic code that each and every human being possesses was a dark day for the culture of death medical tests even in 19 texts even in 1973 taught that human life begins at fertilization at the time of conception they affirmed this not based on theology but observable fact that a unique new human life had begun science continues to affirm that at the moment of fertilization a unique human human life has been initiated this new life has a unique dna genetic code distinct from her or his mother the zygote the embryo the fetus the unborn child is not part of the mother's body but is a new and unique human being that is merely a temporary resident in the womb this in no way minimizes the important role of mothers the relationship between a mother and child is unlike any other human bond each of us spent our first months of existence residing in the sanctuary of our mother's womb recently i had the opportunity to preview a new feature-length movie entitled simply roe v wade it will be in theaters and available on dvd sometime this year i encourage you to see this film with some of the usual artistic liberties of the movie industry the film provides insight into the cultural circumstances that resulted in the court decision that led to more than 62 million american children killed by abortion over the last 48 years the film is narrated by the actor portraying dr bernard nathanson who with the journalists and author larry later and feminist activist betty friedan founded narelle the national abortion rights action league dr nathanson earned the unofficial title the abortion king because he served as medical director of new york city's center for reproductive and sexual health dr nathan performed or presided over more than sixty thousand abortions a key component of the of later and nathanson's plan to gain public support for legalized abortion was what they termed the catholic strategy it had four basic components first blame and accuse catholic hierarchy for social ills and the oppression of women second support and campaign for catholic pro-abortion candidates third foster division amongst catholics and four execute what they called the straddle the separation of religious conviction from reason from legislative judgment only a couple years after roe v wade decision dr nathanson began to have scientific doubts about the ethics of abortion he was profoundly influenced by the ultrasound images that made the humanity of the unborn undeniable nathanson eventually produced the silent scream a documentary film showing an actual ultrasound abortion narrated by dr nathanson nathanson was convinced that the silent scream would slay the monster of legalized abortion that he helped to create he was confident that public television stations would telecast the silent screen and once large numbers of americans actually viewed the brutality of abortion and saw the humanity of the unborn child nathanson believed america would reject abortion to his astonishment public television stations generally refused to telecast the silent screen even then there was being exercise immediate control over what americans were to be allowed to hear and see bernard nathanson who had described himself for decades as a jewish atheist and had helped to create and implement the so-called catholic strategy on december 8 1996 was baptized in st patrick's cathedral in new york and for the remainder of his life he worked tirelessly to end legalized abortion many of us as we observed this somber anniversary of a true american tragedy the legalization of abortion in 1973 resulting in the deaths of millions of american children and the scoring of the lives of millions of mothers and fathers many of us may feel dispirited and discouraged the catholic strategy appears to have succeeded with the election of a president who proudly professes to be a devout catholic even as he promises to codify roe v wade seeks to force american taxpayers to fund abortions and today as you probably are aware he extended that taxpayer funded abortion to other countries throughout the world this is an imperialism a social imperialism of trying to impose our values on third world countries and third the desire to force even groups like the little sisters of the poor to provide contraceptives and abortive patients in their employee health plans sadly president biden is the perfect example of the religiously and ethically incoherent straddle claiming to believe that human life begins at conception and personally opposing abortion while doing everything within his power to promote and institutionalize abortion not only in the us but around the world we must not yield to discouragement much less despair we must also not indulge in anger or attacking those who disagree with us we speak the truth with firm resolve but with compassionate love as well and just as elizabeth's pregnancy was for mary a sign so the conversions of individuals like bernard nathanson is for us a sign too that all things are possible with god we must reject violence in action and in speech archbishop jose gomez's statement on the day of the inauguration of president biden was a great example for all of us violence and disrespect for others are not consistent with the gospel of life pope saint john paul taught the essence of the gospel of life was the value that jesus placed upon each and every human life on calvary jesus allowed himself to be crucified so that each of us could receive mercy and share in his abundant and eternal life our weapons to defeat the culture of death are not bricks guns or molotov cocktails but prayer fasting and almsgiving we need to pray and fast for our president that the holy spirit will touch and change his heart and enlighten his mind just as he did for bernard nathanson we must pray and fast that the president will have the integrity to acknowledge that his actions in seeking to codify roe v wade and impose tax funded abortions violate the most fundamental of all human rights we must pray and fast that the president will cease attempting to confuse people about catholic teaching by trampling on the sanctity of human life while presenting himself as a devout catholic the people of the united states have entrusted enormous power and responsibility to president biden however the presidency does not empower him to define catholic doctrine and moral teaching i ask all in the basilica and thousands more joining us through ewtn to join me in an urgent and renewed effort of prayer and action with many other catholics and other people of good faith across the country as we work together and seek god's assistance to end legalized abortion and all attacks on human life and the sacred dignity of the human person i urge you to just to join respect life prayer and action by signing up for our prayer in action alerts at respectlife.org i look forward to praying with you and working with you to advance the dignity and protection of every human life from conception to natural death similarly i urge each of you if you have not already to become involved in your parish and diocese with walking with moms in need that was officially launched last march 25th walking with moms in need is an initiative for diocese and parishes to become knowledgeable about all the resources that are available to women facing a difficult or untimely pregnancy we are asking our diocese and parishes to promote and expand existing resources mothers and children that we cannot protect by law we can surround and rescue with love we want no mother no child left behind because there was no one to encourage and assist them in a few moments those assembled in the basilica will come forward to receive our lord in the eucharist sometimes catholics are accused of being inhospitable because we do not invite non-catholics to join us in receiving holy communion we do this not to be exclusive but out of respect for those who do not share our catholic faith when a baptized christian after prayer and reflection is received into full communion with the catholic church they make the following profession i believe and profess all that the holy catholic church believes teaches and proclaims to be revealed by god each time we come to receive our lord in holy communion the priest says the body of christ and the recipient replies amen our amen expresses not only our belief in the real presence of jesus in the eucharist but also our belief in the church that our lord empowered to make himself present through this blessed sacrament in effect our amen when receiving our lord is an affirmation that we believe and profess all that the holy catholic church believes teaches and proclaims to be revealed by god we do not want non-catholic christians to profess something that they do not believe similarly integrity requires a catholic not receive the eucharist while acting in a manner incoherent and fundamental with fundamental catholic teaching jesus never promised his disciples that following him would be easy in fact our lord told them if they wanted to be his disciples they had to be willing to take up the cross jesus didn't promise his disciples jesus did promise his disciples however that he would be with us until the end of time we heard in the letter of saint john tonight the disciple of jesus should not be amazed if the world hates us he also reminds us that to hate another is equivalent to being a murderer while rejecting actions that are evil we can never hate those who do evil to us or to others jesus gave his life for us despite our sins and betrayals it is the call of his disciples to lay down our lives in love for others even those who speak ill of us and may seek to harm us jesus tells us that he is the way and the truth and the life jesus who is life itself has already won the victory over sin and death we know therefore with complete and utter confidence that life will be victorious adversity only makes our love purer and more powerful and so we say with saint paul we know that all things work for good for those who love god if god is for us who can be against us we are convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor present things nor future things nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of god in christ jesus our lord amen so please stand god our father hears the prayers of those who call upon him in faith confident in his love and mercy let us now offer our needs and petitions for our holy father pope francis and all bishops priests deacons and religious that they will be guided and strengthened by the holy spirit as they promote the gospel of life let us pray to the lord r lord hear our prayer for world leaders that their work will always be guided and aided by the holy spirit in justice and peace for all people at all stages of life let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for our president and all elected officials that through their policies and decisions they will uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural death let us pray to the lord r lord hear our prayer for all expectant mothers that they will receive life-affirming care and support to help them choose life for their children let us pray to the lord r that all who work in the health care profession will be supported and renewed in their commitment to protect and care for all human life especially the unborn the elderly and the sick let us pray to the lord r lord hear our prayer for all who have been involved in an abortion that their hearts will be open to receive the lord's mercy healing and hope let us pray to the lord [Music] for all who have died especially those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus and those who have died from violence in our communities that they may share the glory of heaven with the saints let us pray to the lord r lord hear our prayer please join me in reciting the prayer for pregnant mothers which can be found in the electronic version of the worship leaflet a blessed mother you receive the good news of in the incarnation of christ your son with faith and trust grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties guide us as we strive to make our parish communities places of welcome and assistance for mothers in need help us to become instruments of god's love and compassion mary mother of the church graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love together with all people of good will to the praise and glory of god the creator and lover of life amen we invite you to join in support of the ministry of the basilica of the national shrine contributions to the basilica can be made at collection points located at the east side doors of the basilica as you exit following mass thank you for your continued support and generosity [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] is [Music] from [Music] i [Music] is [Music] shining [Music] is oh [Music] voice [Music] is [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] pray my sisters and brothers that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to god the almighty father may the lord accept this sacrifice for the praise and glory of his name for our good and good church accept our humble offerings o lord of the living and unite us to the perfect sacrifice of your son through whom you have made all creation new who lives and reigns forever and ever the lord be with you lift up your hearts let us give thanks to the lord our god it is truly right and just our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks lord holy father almighty and eternal god through christ our lord in him you have been pleased to renew all things giving us all a share in his fullness even though he was in the form of god he emptied himself and by the blood of his cross brought peace to all creation therefore he has been exalted above all things and to all who obey him has become the source of eternal salvation and so with angels and archangels with thrones and dominions and with all the hosts and powers of heaven we sing the hymn of your glory as without end we acclaim [Music] is [Music] i you are indeed holy o lord and all you have created rightly gives you praise for through your son our lord jesus christ by the power and working of the holy spirit you give life to all things and make them holy and you never cease to gather a people to yourself so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name therefore o lord we humbly implore you by the same spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration that they may become the body and blood of your son our lord jesus christ at whose command we celebrate these mysteries for on the night he was betrayed he himself took bread and giving you thanks he said the blessing broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying take this all of you and eat of it for this is my body which will be given up for you in a similar way when supper was ended he took the chalice and giving you thanks he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples saying take this all of you and drink from it for this is the chalice of my blood the blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins do this in memory of me the mystery of faith [Music] therefore lord as we celebrate the memorial of the saving passion of your son his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven and as we look forward to his second coming we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice look we pray upon the oblation of your church and recognizing the sacrificial victim by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your son and filled with his holy spirit may become one body one spirit in christ may make of us an eternal offering to you so that we may obtain our inheritance with your elect especially with the most blessed virgin mary mother of god with blessed joseph her spouse with your blessed apostles and glorious martyrs and with all the saints on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unveiling help may this sacrifice of our reconciliation we pray o lord advance the peace and salvation of all the world be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim church on earth with your servant francis our pope my brother wilton the bishop of this church and me your unworthy servant the order of bishops all the clergy and the entire people you have gained for your own listen graciously to the prayers of this family whom you have summoned before you in your compassion o merciful father gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world to our departed brothers and sisters and to all who are pleasing to you at their passing from this life give kind admittance to your kingdom there we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory through christ our lord through whom you bestow on the world all that is good through him and with him and in him oh god almighty father in the unity of the holy spirit all glory and honor is yours for ever and ever oh man at the savior's command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not to temptation but deliver us from evil deliver us lord we pray from every evil graciously grant peace in our days that by the help of your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our savior jesus christ lord jesus christ who said to your apostles peace i leave you my peace i give you look not on our sins but on the faith of your church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will who live and reign for ever and ever amen the peace of the lord be with you always oh [Music] is [Music] mercy on [Music] r behold the lamb of god behold him who takes away the sins of the world blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb foreign [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the lord is my light and my salvation whom shall i fear [Music] the lord is my light and my salvation my lord is [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh shall i feel there is one [Music] of my life [Music] it is your face [Music] is [Music] cheese [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] is [Music] jesus [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] me [Music] [Music] let us pray increase your love within us lord god by the saving mysteries we have celebrated and bring people everywhere to respect your gift of human life through christ our lord before beginning our time of adoration i want to personally thank archbishop pierre for his presence he's so generous of being present to so many events and supporting bringing the holy father's support to so many ministries we're grateful to archbishop broglio who will be leading the first of our holy hours that will be happening throughout the night there'll be holy hours offered in diocese all the way across the country even to hawaii every hour of the night you can reach all of those holy hours by going to the usccb website and we're also grateful for bishop coffey being with us the military was well represented tonight and he'll be our special delegate at the march for life tomorrow [Music] is [Music] me [Music] [Music] see [Music] [Music] is [Music] ah [Music] [Music] cheers [Music] [Music] r [Music] is [Music] my is [Music] is [Music] foreign [Music] let's see hmm so please join us in reciting the trumpet of divine mercy in the name of the father of the son of the holy spirit our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus i believe in god the father almighty creator of heaven and earth and in jesus christ his only son our lord who was conceived by the holy spirit born of the virgin mary suffered under pontius pilate was crucified died and was buried he descended into hell on the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of god the father almighty from there he will come to judge the living and the dead eternal father i offer you the body and blood soul and divinity of your deary beloved son our lord jesus christ for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion eternal father i offer you the body and blood soul and divinity of your dearly beloved son our lord jesus christ for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion eternal father i offer you the body and blood soul and divinity of your deary beloved son our lord jesus christ for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion eternal father i offer you the body and blood soul in divinity of your dearly beloved son our lord jesus christ for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion eternal father i offer you the body and blood soul and divinity of your dearly beloved son our lord jesus christ for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion for the sake of his sorrowful passion holy god holy mighty one holy immortal one holy god holy mighty one holy immortal one holy god holy mighty one holy immortal one in the name of the father of the son of the holy spirit [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] please [Music] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Music] so [Music] [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] [Music] is you dear brothers and sisters in christ here present in the basilica and those who follow us by the means of communications two sundays ago we heard the narrative in saint john's gospel about the call of the first disciples andrew and john heard john the baptist tell them that jesus was the lamb of god and they followed him jesus turned and watching them said what are you looking for to which they responded with another question where are you staying the lord's response was very simple come and see the disciples must make a decision they have to break with john the baptist the pharisees and all the others inasmuch as they lead away from jesus christ having heard the invitation to come and see they must adhere completely to him we notice that it all begins with a personal witness john the baptist points out the savior behold the lamb of god the movement immortalized in many works of art especially in the magnificent marble sculpture of john the baptist made by donatello is really a model for all of us the christian vocation is one of indicating the lamb of god and showing the path to him jesus asks the disciples who follow him what are you looking for that not the question posed to every believer do we not make the response every day in our pilgrimage to eternal life despite our weakness failings and inattention we offer every morning all that we do our thoughts speech and prayers to the lord the disciples respond where are you staying it is a statement of intention they want to have a part of his life and ministry he invites them to join him to be with him and to experience precious time alone with him it is an invitation to intimacy with the lord personal contact with jesus christ is essential to christian life to the apostolate and certainly to ordain ministry in his name we too can sing with the psalmist taste and see how good the lord is the call of the apostles is also a model for the christian vocation the whole church is apostolic in that she remains through the successors of saint peter and the other apostles in communion of faith and life with her origin and in that she is sent out into the whole world all the members of the church share in this mission though in various ways the christian vocation is of its nature a vocation to the apostolate as well indeed we call an apostolate every activity of the mystical body that aims to spread the kingdom of god over all the earth tonight sisters and brothers we gather in prayer for the respect of life the healing of those in error and for a renewal of our ability to be effective witnesses of his truth which leads to everlasting life essential to understand where jesus lives to become an apostle a disciple of christ is to enter into the same relationship of love which he maintains with the father come and see is to have the experience of christ in communion with the father the insistence is on remaining in him and sharing his abundant life the gospel of life is at the heart of jesus message lovingly received day after day by the church it is to be preached with thoughtless fidelity as good news to the people of every age and culture is that not why we are gathered in this magnificent basilica or praying at home in union with this nationwide effort to reaffirm the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death it is a tragic anniversary that gathers us because we recognize an error in the decisions by the supreme court that failed to recognize that dignity they have been mistaken before the dred scott decision would be one striking example another similar one was made by our founding fathers in the three-fifths compromise which recognized three-fifths of the slave population in the calculations for seats in the house of representatives men and they were all men would count only three-fifths of other human beings instead of counting all of them we make mistakes roe versus wade cost 62 million lives we mourn that loss and the grief of millions of mothers and fathers wounded by their decision we want to share their pain and hold out means for healing we lament that human life is not accorded the dignity intended by our creator you and i strive to correct that error in many ways tonight we reaffirm our willingness to treat every other person with his or her dignity as one created in the image and likeness of almighty god we can disagree on issues but we never descend to name-calling abrasiveness or a lack of respect we use the forms of political action that are open to us the march for life that would normally crowd the streets of this capital will be virtual tomorrow but it will be a reminder that change and conversion are possible we will continue to state the moral principles which determine our stance as archbishop naumann so clearly enunciated in his homily this evening we will also assert that dignity by our efforts to end poverty so that every person can live in accord with his or her dignity the history of the saints teach us about women and men who worked to better the lives of the indigent think about saint elizabeth ann seton saint francis cabrini mother drexel saint john newman and blessed solanus casey just to name a few from our shores or those who adopted this nation as their own however there are others who responded to the plague like saint francis of rome or saint aloysius of saint aloysius gonzaga or those who responded to specific diseases as did saint damien and saint marianne cope these are concrete witnesses to the dignity of the human person we also assert that dignity by eliminating the scourge of racism from our thoughts and discourse to quote our recent letter against racism too many good and faithful catholics remain unaware of the connection between institutional racism and the continued erosion of the sanctity of life we can also draw upon the incredible diversity of the church worldwide in providing education within the family and make it clear that god dwells in the equal dignity of each person we ask all the faithful to consider ways in which they and their families can encounter grow and witness through an understanding and commitment to these values today we also pray this evening for the conversion of all those who profit from the killing of unborn children the continuation of structures that promote poverty or the failure of offering pregnant women the ability to choose life may the lord and our good witness open their hearts to the truth the lord jesus told us that his word is truth we remain with the lord and vigil this night so that we might grow in our knowledge of him and his ways deepen our love for him and be competent disseminators of his divine mercy we want to be effective instruments of healing as well to do that we recognize any hurt that we might have caused to others by our thoughts words actions and inactions as a community of faith we recognize our need to grow and the grace-filled possibilities that are ours yet our eyes are not closed to the challenges that we face in this world whereas missionary disciples we are called to be effective evangelizers we are still marked by the scandal of the innocence abused by members of the clergy and our failure as bishops in the past to be consistent in an effective response we have lived through a period of violence and touched with our hands the divisions that separate citizens in their own communities we watched with horror when even the national capitol building was breached by those unwilling to accept the results of a democratic election the best response to collective error is our personal conversion and the evidence of the love among the disciples of jesus that we are and our love of those who disagree with us see how we love one another this night we beg a loving god to grant us in our country peace and tranquility and trust in christ as the answer to the challenges that face us as we spread the gospel of life more than 25 years ago saint john paul ii wrote and i quote the church knows that this gospel of life which she has received from her lord has a profound and persuasive echo in the heart of every person believer and non-believer alike because it marvelously fills all the hearts expectations while infinitely surpassing them even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree upon the recognition of this right every human community and the political community itself are founded although we struggle to understand how the dignity of human life can be a source of division [Music] we recognize that this fundamental right also divides us politically here again we pledge to discuss our differences civilly and with profound respect for those who think differently than we do as pope francis wrote tenderness is the best way to touch the frailty within us pointing fingers and judging others are frequently signs of an inability to accept our own weaknesses our own frailty only tender love will save us from the snares of the accuser the pandemic has also challenged our access to the sacraments as we see tonight and even this major event is reduced because the uncertainty and the restrictions imposed prohibit large gatherings those restrictions will not dampen our commitment to our faith even if our ability to receive the sacraments has been curtailed we still unite ourselves with the lord and pray for his guidance we sense very much on this issue of human life that we have a double function we proclaim the truth about human life without embarrassment or fear we rejoice that these concerns cross confessional boundaries people of many faith traditions unite in proclaiming the truth about human life so many times the hierarchs of the eastern orthodox churches joined in our prayer this night we are grateful for all of those who assist pregnant and parenting mothers who face a challenging pregnancy they tell those in difficult situations not to lose hope because christ is with us i still remember going to the hospital as a young priest early in the morning to be with a couple concerned about the birth of their third child or baptizing a newborn in an incubator i also remember the tremendous witness of a roman couple whose fourth child was born with down syndrome the parents knew of the risk because the mother was older but they never thought about not accepting lovingly their child that young lady still brings still brightens the family home and mirrors the love continually lavished upon her when pope benedict the 16th visited this city in 2008 he reminded us that we are a people of hope and therefore must lead different lives tonight we wave that banner of hope and pray for those who are troubled we pray for a change of heart we pray that everyone might hear that gentle invitation to come and see and spend time with the lord jesus who alone has the message of everlasting life we follow the good shepherd who called all of those who are burdened to find rest in him we hold out hope and healing to those who feel remorse because they had an abortion or participated in one the lord gave the power to forgive sins and his mercy even forgives grave sins against life saint faustina repeated the promise of the lord that the greater the sinner the wider the access to his mercy you and i renew our pledge to be beacons of that hope for our sisters and brothers gathered in front of the blessed sacrament and gathered in our homes the domestic church we pray that those who have participated in an abortion might be healed we beg the lord to touch the hearts of those who support access to this sin and pledge to fund it may he draw them to the truth and open for them the path to life without end our society will know peace and will manifest harmony when life is respected from the womb to the tomb from the beginning it all fits together and tonight we pray for that understanding and coherence i mention that we do our part with our witness and prayer we also remember the importance of fasting some evil can only be overcome through prayer and fasting while the 22nd of january is a particular day of prayer and fasting in our country nothing prevents us from fasting at other times with a prayer for conversion and a deeper respect of human life we might turn in a special way this year to saint joseph the foster father of the child jesus and the protector of the virgin he teaches us to listen to the lord and gives us an exemplary model for human fatherhood the nobility of joseph's heart is such that what he learned from the law he made dependent on charity today in our world where psychological verbal and physical violence towards women is so evident joseph appears as the figure of a respectful and sensitive man even though he does not always understand the bigger picture he makes a decision to protect mary's good name her dignity and her life in his hesitation about how best to act god helped him by enlightening his judgment the bishop of rome has offered us a year of saint joseph to inspire our actions and to promote the virtues of responsible human fatherhood no spoken word of his is recorded in the new testament but he is always there and always responds to the demands of the situation in his apostolic letter on saint joseph pope francis offered a guide to reading the infancy narratives and i quote we may often wonder why god did not act in a more direct and clear way yet god acts through events and people joseph was the man chosen by god to guide the beginnings of the history of redemption he was the true miracle by which god saves the child and his mother god acted by trusting in joseph's creative courage arriving in bethlehem and finding no lodging where mary could give birth joseph took a stable and as best as he could turned it into a welcoming home for the son of god come into the world faced with imminent danger from herod who wanted to kill the child joseph was warned once again in a dream to protect the child and rose in the middle of the night to prepare the flight into egypt a theme which unites us this evening is that divine mercy as we announce the truth about human life we never forget that we are also the promoters of the mercy illustrated so dramatically from the cross when the lord jesus prayed father forgive them they know not what they do the hand of our divine father is never too short to forgive every sin even those that are most grave all that is necessary is a repentant heart you and i never miss an opportunity to announce that loving forgiveness held out to every person in his or her need we are also gathered in prayer because we want to be good parents those who speak the truth teach others to act responsibly and open wide the doors to forgiveness mercy and that re-establishment that the prodigal son experienced when he came to his senses and returned home we heard with tenderness as archbishop naumann told us about his experience with his mother and we want to manifest that same tenderness openness and avenue to forgiveness for our brothers and sisters everywhere we have responded to the lord's invitation to come and see and dwell with him as the bishops of latin america and the caribbean stated so clearly in their final document of opercida knowing jesus christ by faith is our joy following him is a grace and passing on this treasure to others is a task entrusted to us by the lord in calling and choosing us with eyes enlightened by the light of the risen christ we cannot fail to shout from the housetops the reality that jesus christ has conquered sin and death and invited us to share in his life for all eternity you are reminded that this holy hour here in washington dc is the first of ten back to back holy hours that will be led by my brother bishops and live streamed from diocese across this vast country we are a nation united in prayer for the respect of human life this night these different moments of prayer will conclude with the closing mass of the national prayer village for life to be celebrated by the most reverend william laurie archbishop of our first sea baltimore here in the national shrine of the basilica of the immaculate conception tomorrow morning at 8 00 am the lord invites us to come see and dwell with him okay the litany of the blessed virgin mary mother of life our response is mary pray for us mary mother of all life help us to respect human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death mary mother of compassion you showed us how valuable a single life can be help us to guard and protect the lives of all people entrusted to our care mary pray for us mary mother of the child jesus with saint joseph you form the holy family guard and protect all families in this earthly life mary pray for us mary mother most holy you sanctified the vocation of motherhood pour out your heavenly aid on all mothers and help them to be holy mary mother of sorrows simeon's prophecy foretold that a sword of suffering would pierce your heart bring comfort and hope to all mothers who suffer over their children mary full of grace you had a choice in responding to god's call help us always to say yes to the will of god in our lives and strive always to do whatever he tells us pray for us mary comforter of the afflicted pour forth your heavenly grace on all who are in need of god's healing especially those involved in abortion help them to experience the love and mercy of christ your son mary intercessor and advocate we lift up the poor the displaced the marginalized and vulnerable members of society help them never to abandon hope but to place their trust in god who gave them pray for life mary mother of the word incarnate you bore in your womb him whom the heavens cannot contain help us to bear witness to christ by the example of our lives and show the world the extravagant love of god together remember almost gracious virgin mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided inspired with this confidence we fly unto you o virgin of virgins our mother to you we come before you we stand sinful and sorrowful o mother of the word incarnate despise not our petitions but in your mercy hear and answer them r amen let us pray god our creator lord and redeemer of mankind we give thanks to you who alone have the power to impart the breath of life as you form each of us in our mother's womb you alone have the power to forgive sins against human life and to heal the wounds caused by these sins grant the prayers we have placed before you and grant that we your children will place all our trust in your divine mercy so that the world and all its inhabitants may be saved through christ our lord cycles [Music] so [Music] [Music] [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] so [Music] [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] me you have given them bread from heaven [Music] let us pray o god who in this wonderful sacrament have left us a memorial of your passion grant us we pray so to revere the sacred mysteries of your body and blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption who live and reign with god the father in the unity of the holy spirit god for ever and ever amen together let us recite the divine praises blessed be god blessed be his holy name blessed be jesus christ true god and true man blessed be the name of jesus blessed be his most sacred heart blessed be his most precious blood blessed be jesus in the most holy sacrament of the altar blessed be the holy spirit the paraclete blessed be the great mother of god mary most holy blessed be her holy and immaculate conception blessed be her glorious assumption blessed be the name of mary virgin and mother blessed be saint joseph her most chaste spouse blessed be god in his angels and in his saints [Music] [Music] oh [Applause] boys foreign so then [Music] [Applause] [Music] you

Channel: National Shrine

Views: 62,720

Keywords: Basilica Sunday Livestream Sunday Catholic Mass, Catholic Sunday Mass, Catholic Mass, Sunday Mass January 28 2021, January 28 2021 Mass, Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, National Shrine, Mary’s Shrine, Basilica in D.C., Mass at the Basilica, Choir of the Basilica, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Choir

Id: BXciMljWVHs

Length: 189min 26sec (11366 seconds)

Published: Thu Jan 28 2021