Thousands expected for March for Life events at National Shrine

011510 vigil March for Life participants at the National Shrine.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception expects more than 10,000 people to attend its liturgies, prayer services, rosaries, Holy Hours and confessions for Catholics participating in the upcoming March for Life.

Events will take place Jan. 20-22, a press release from the National Shrine reports.

On Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston will be principal celebrant and homilist for the Vigil Mass for Life. The cardinal is the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Following the Mass, from 10 p.m. to midnight there will be confessions, the National Rosary for Life and Night Prayer.

Holy Hours for Life will continue as part of the National Prayer Vigil from midnight to 6 a.m. The Closing Mass of the vigil will take place at 7:30 a.m. Its principal celebrant and homilist will be Archbishop for Military Services Timothy P. Broglio.

Both Masses will be broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

The National Shrine and the Catholic University of America will house overnight participants in the March for Life who come from across the United States.

The March for Life commemorates the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that ordered abortion to be legalized across the United States.

According to the National Shrine, participants “demonstrate their belief in the sanctity of human life in all its stages from conception to natural death.”

The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception’s website is http://www.nationalshrine.com.

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