Annually hundreds of thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. to speak up for the right to life of the defenseless, especially those in the sanctuaries of their mothers’ wombs. Part of this yearly pilgrimage is the ‘Vigil for Life,’ sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The prayer begins with a Mass concelebrated by Cardinals and Archbishops.
In the great Basilica is our Byzantine Catholic Chapel, which was dedicated in 1974. A Divine Liturgy with the ‘Respect for Life’ intention will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 for those who are passing through en route to the March for Life, which begins at noon. The main celebrant will be Very Rev. Bryan Eyman of the Parma Eparchy, with concelebrants Rev. Bob Kelly, also of Parma, and Rev. James Ragan and Deacon Paul Boboige of the Pittsburgh Archeparchy. All are warmly invited to attend. The Basilica is served by the subway system’s Brookland-CUA stop using the Red Line towards Glenmont.
The Byzantine Catholic presence also will be felt the preceding evening, Thursday, Jan. 21 with Night Prayer (Compline) in the Crypt Church at 10:00 p.m., usually presided by the Bishop of Passaic, Bishop Kurt Burnette. An all-night vigil follows.
Please contact Deacon Paul Boboige of the Archeparchy’s Pro-Life Office at bobovich@verizon.net or check the Pro- Life Office’s “Eastern Pro Life” Facebook page for more information.
