In anticipation of the annual novena of prayer and penance for life, marking the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, U.S. bishops underscore the ongoing need for efforts to safeguard children and mothers from the "tragedy of abortion." Catholics nationwide are gearing up for the 9 Days for Life, an annual pro-life novena set to commence on January 16, sponsored by the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The novena precedes the yearly Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on January 22, commemorating the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion across the United States. Launched in 2013, this 12th edition includes the March for Life, a tradition since 1974, initially held in Washington, D.C., and later extending throughout the country.

Each of the nine days features specific intentions accompanied by reflections, educational content, and suggested daily actions aimed at fostering a culture of life. Participants are encouraged to share their pro-life commitment on social media using the hashtag #9DaysforLife.

This year's novena follows the significant 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, granting state lawmakers authority to impose restrictions or bans on abortion. Despite this progress, the U.S. bishops emphasize the ongoing need for sustained efforts to prevent the "tragedy of abortion" and express the overarching intention of the novena as the complete eradication of abortion.

Since June 2022, 14 U.S. states have enacted near-total abortion bans, while Georgia and South Carolina have restricted abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy. However, some states have implemented laws or conducted ballot referendums to protect abortion access, with seven states directly voting on abortion-related issues, and two state legislatures proposing abortion rights constitutional amendments for the 2024 ballots. In nine other states, abortion advocates are leading citizen-driven initiatives to introduce similar measures.

In a prelude to the Novena for Life, U.S. bishops align with Pope Francis in condemning surrogacy as an assault on human dignity. The Pope, in his recent address, labeled surrogacy "deplorable" and urged a global ban, denouncing it as a grave violation of the dignity of women and children. The U.S. bishops echo this stance, asserting that the "practice of surrogacy is not morally permissible." They call for prayers and efforts towards a world that upholds the profound dignity of every person in all stages and circumstances of life.

Emphasizing the pre-eminent priority of addressing the threat of abortion, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in their updated quadrennial document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" for the 2024 presidential elections, reiterates that abortion remains their foremost concern. The bishops stress that abortion directly attacks the most vulnerable and voiceless, leading to the destruction of over a million lives annually in the United States alone.