Mass, Pilgrimage For Life, Liberty Set For October 14 At National Shrine

September 20, 2012

Pilgrimage to begin Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty Prayer resources for life and liberty available at www.usccb.org/freedom WASHINGTON—

A Mass and Pilgrimage for Life and Liberty at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington is slated for Sunday, Oct. 14 at 12 noon EDT.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, will celebrate the liturgy and pilgrimage as part of the U.S. bishops’ annual Respect Life prayer campaign. His homily will focus on the noted quote from Thomas Jefferson: “The god who gave us life gave us liberty.” Mass will be preceded by time for confessions starting at 10 a.m. Following Mass, there will be Eucharistic Adoration. Shortly thereafter, attendees will recite the rosary as part of the first day of the Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty.  At the conclusion of the rosary, Archbishop Lori will offer a 10-minute reflection. The event will conclude with benediction at 2:30 p.m. EWTN television will carry the Mass and Pilgrimage live.

Further details about the October prayer campaign can be found at www.usccb.org/freedom. Resources include the downloadable Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty, recommended for use by individuals or groups from October 14-22, and a Holy Hour for Life and Liberty. The resources provide assistance during the Year of Faith which begins October 11. Among materials are those to help people learn more about courageous forebears in the faith and to follow their example.

Particular emphasis will be given to two saints to be canonized October 21: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a young Mohawk woman to become the first Native American saint, and Blessed Marianne Cope, a German nun from the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse, N.Y., who aided St. Damien of Molokai in ministering to lepers in Hawaii.