The 31st annual National Night of Prayer for Life is a time in which churches across the nation petition the Blessed Mother to protect life and the family, to renew the Church and establish peace.

The annual evening of prayer spans the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, Dec. 8, and the anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s first apparition to St. Juan Diego on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Catholics are asked to pray for the unborn, an end to abortion and protection of the sanctity of human life. Local parishes will join others across the country to ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother to establish a culture of life.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1531 (then celebrated on Dec. 9), Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the unborn, first appeared to St. Juan Diego. A special Hour of Unity has been designated from midnight to 1 a.m. (Eastern time) in which churches across the country and the world will be united in prayer to end abortion, and to restore God’s blessings.

The National Night of Prayer for Life includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, prayer to St. Michael, silent prayer and hymns. Several parishes in the archdiocese are hosting special times of prayer. They include:

• Assumption, 4725 Mattis Road in south St. Louis County; Hour of Unity Dec. 8 from 11 p.m.-midnight. The hour will include eucharistic adoration and a Rosary in commemoration of human life, and will conclude with Benediction.

• Holy Infant, 627 Dennison Drive in Ballwin; 7 p.m. Mass Dec. 8, followed by Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet and litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

•St. Ann, 7851 Highway YY in Clover Bottom (near Washington); Rosary and silent prayer from midnight-1 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 9.

• St. Clement of Rome, 1510 Bopp Road in Des Peres; Holy Hour from 7-8 p.m., followed by prayer at home. The eucharistic adoration chapel will be open, but currently limited to six visitors at a time due to COVID-19 guidelines.

• St. Francis of Assisi, 4556 Telegraph Road in Oakville; 9 p.m. Dec. 8 to 7 a.m. Dec. 9; email Jan at [email protected] for entry code 

• St. Gabriel the Archangel, 6303 Nottingham Ave. in St. Louis; 6 p.m. Mass Dec. 8, followed by the Rosary and a litany of the Blessed Mother for the sick and for respect for the sacredness of human life in all its stages.

•  •  • St. John Paul II, 4980 Heege Road in Affton; 7 p.m. Mass Dec. 8, followed by eucharistic adoration and ending with Benediction at midnight. Each hour, the Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet and prayer to St. Michael will be recited, along with time for private meditation.

• St. Joseph, 106 N. Meramec Ave. in Clayton; prayer from 7-10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, including exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

• St. Joseph, 6020 Old Antonia Road in Imperial; 9 p.m. Dec. 8 to 12:05 a.m. Dec. 9, in the eucharistic adoration chapel  

• St. Mary Magdalen, 2618 S. Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood; prayer and adoration starting at 8 p.m. Dec. 8, and ending with Benediction at midnight. A Rosary will be prayed each hour. A livestream will be available at www.stmmchurch.com.

Other parishes may be open in the evening regularly for private prayer and/or eucharistic adoration. Please contact your parish for further information.