Catholics across the nation will petition the Blessed Mother to protect life and the family, establish peace and renew the Church on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, for the National Night of Prayer for Life.
Originating in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, in 1989, what started as a local parish prayer initiative has now grown into a coast-to-coast event involving hundreds of parishes, Knights of Columbus chapters and other pro-life and Catholic organizations. The founders credit the intercession of Mary for its growth, specifically under her titles of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Catholics are asked to pray for the unborn, an end to abortion and for protection of the sanctity of human life. The annual evening of prayer spans the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 and the anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s first apparition to St. Juan Diego on Dec. 9.
Parish observations in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Assumption, St. Louis County
In the church, eucharistic adoration, Rosary and Benediction, 11 p.m. to midnight
Address: 4725 Mattis Road in south St. Louis County
Contact: Parish office at (314) 487-7970
Sacred Heart, Troy
Starting at 8 p.m., a pro-life prayer service including Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, litany for life and other prayers
Address: 100 Thompson Drive in Troy
Contact: Angela at
[email protected]
Sacred Heart, Valley Park
Eucharistic adoration, Rosary, prayer to St. Michael and silent prayer from 8-9:30 p.m.
Address: 17 Ann Ave. in Valley Park
Contact: Monica at [email protected]
St. Ambrose, St. Louis
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament starting at 8 p.m. until Benediction at midnight
Address: 5130 Wilson Ave. in south St. Louis
Contact: Father Jack Siefert, [email protected] or (314) 771-1228
St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles
Mass at 7 p.m., followed by eucharistic adoration and the Rosary from 8 p.m. until midnight
Address: 601 N 4th St. in St. Charles
St. Clement of Rome Parish, Des Peres
In the adoration chapel, Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by silent prayer until midnight
Address: 1510 Bopp Road in
Des Peres
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Charles
Mass at 7 p.m., followed by Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet
Address: 2 Seton Court in St. Charles
Contact: George at (314) 503-6612
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Crestwood
Eucharistic adoration from 9-10 p.m.
Address: 1420 Sappington Road in Crestwood
Contact: Parish office at (314) 968-0760
St. Francis of Assisi, Oakville
Rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by Rorate Caeli Mass at 7 p.m.
Address: 4556 Telegraph Road in Oakville
Contact: Michelle at [email protected]
St. Gabriel the Archangel, St. Louis
Mass at 6 p.m., followed by prayers for life
Address: 6303 Nottingham Ave. in south St. Louis
Contact: Jerry at (314) 591-2968
St. Joseph, Cottleville
In the adoration chapel, eucharistic adoration from 9 p.m. to midnight, with the Rosary at the beginning of each hour (9, 10 and 11 p.m.).
Address: 1355 Motherhead Road in Cottleville
Contact: Mimi at (636) 926-9311
St. Mary Magdalen, Brentwood
In the adoration chapel, starting right after the 5:30 p.m. Mass and ending with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m. (Weather permitting, there will also be a short procession from the main church to the chapel.)
Address: 2618 Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood
Contact: Ron at (314) 709-8413
St. Paul, St. Paul
In the chapel, eucharistic adoration, Rosary and pro-life prayers from 8 p.m. until midnight
Address: 1223 Church Road in St. Paul
Contact: Mary at (636) 980-7364
For up-to-date information on the National Night of Prayer for Life and participating parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, visit the Respect Life Apostolate’s website at STLRespectLife.org.