Fast and Pray for Life

We live the graces of the liturgy of the Mass in daily life through works of penance and self-denial. One bishop has recommended intercession, reparation and penance for the unborn and victims of crimes against life, in particular the abomination of abortion, by fast and abstinence on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, 22 January 2008.

Bishop Makes Roe Anniversary Day of Fast, Abstinence

By PETER J. SMITH AMARILLO, Texas ( LifeSite­News) — A Catholic bishop has declared his diocese will observe the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion in the United States, as a day of penance.

Bishop John W. Yanta of the Di­ocese of Amarillo said that Tues­day, January 22 will be observed in his diocese as a “ Day of Fast and Abstinence.”

The bishop said that day is a particular day of pen­ance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. “ I encourage all the people of God to attend Mass that day, pray before the Blessed Sacrament, pray the rosary, and witness to life,” Bishop Yanta wrote. Catholic priests in the diocese will celebrate in violet vestments, a symbol of penance in the Catho­lic Church.

The day coincides with the an­nual National March for Life in Washington, D. C., whose 2008 theme is “ Build Unity on the Life Principles Throughout America. No Exception! No Compromise!” Bishop Yanta will also celebrate the annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass for Peace and Justice Janu­ary 19, 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s in Amarillo. Afterward, the first leg of the annual Respect Life Ministries’ March for Life will proceed from St. Mary’s to the Planned Parenthood facility at 15th and Taylor to pray for an end to abortion.

On January 22, Amarillo Right to Life will hold a commemorative service at the Amarillo Civic Cen­ter to remember the victims of abortion with Fr. John Keane, SA, speaking about the importance of Christian unity in bringing about an end to abortion. In Kuwait today 1LT Cope sought out the chapel as a resting place on his journey to R and R in Qatar. He is from Tennessee and he and his wife have both begun studies in the Rite for Christian Inititation of Adults so that they can bring their young son up in the Faith. Because he was at the chapel, 1LT Cope got the word that the liturgy would be celebrated and joined us for worship. We prayed a "Mass for Life" in solidarity with everyone in the United States today to end all crimes against human life as many "March for Life" in Washington and across the country.

"You shall drink from the stream by the wayside and therefore you shall lift up your head." 1LT Cope went away renewed and strengthened by our shared encounter with He who is the "fountain of living waters". He is displaying his gift of a phone card from the children of Saint Philip the Apostle School.