WASHINGTON – Catholics across the country are encouraged to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 21 to Friday, January 22, 2027, to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is hosted each January by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Pro-Life Secretariat, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and the Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry. The vigil has always taken place on the eve of the March for Life, which marks the date of the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The Opening Mass will take place in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. at 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 21. The principal celebrant and homilist for the Opening Mass will be Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Following the Opening Mass, a 7:00 PM National Holy Hour for Life will take place in the Crypt Church (lower level) of the Basilica, which will include Recitation of the Rosary and Benediction. The nationwide vigil concludes on Friday, January 22, with an 8:00 AM Closing Mass in the Great Upper Church.

The live television broadcasts on January 21 for the 5:00 PM Opening Mass and the January 22 Closing Mass at 8:00 AM will be provided by the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)
and will be available via livestream on the Basilica’s website: www.nationalshrine.org/mass.

Pre-registration is required for clergy and seminarians. For more information about on-site attendance at the Basilica for the National Prayer Vigil for Life and the full event information, please visit the Basilica web page: https://www.nationalshrine.org/event/2027-national-prayer-vigil-for-life/.