The faithful are encouraged to take part in the National Prayer Vigil for Life, which will mainly be livestreamed from the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before the March for Life Friday, January 29, according to the Arlington Catholic Herald. In past years, about 10,000 people would fill the basilica in Washington, D.C. for the prayer vigil preceding the world’s largest annual pro-life event, held in the nation’s capital every year since 1973 when the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton U.S. Supreme Court decisions legalized abortion in the nation. This year, only 100 people are allowed in the basilica during the vigil due to COVID-19 restrictions. In December, however, the mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, loosened the restrictions on church capacity to 25%, or 250 people, whichever is fewer, after a lawsuit from the archdiocese challenged prior restrictions. The difference in capacity regulations was not explained. The livestreamed vigil, hosted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Secretariat, can be viewed on EWTN or through livestreams from the basilica’s or the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website. The vigil, which will take place from 8 p.m. January 28 to 8 a.m. January 29, is also hosted by the basilica and the Catholic University of America in Washington’s Campus Ministry. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas., USCCB's chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the opening Mass, and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore will be the celebrant for the closing Mass. "Now, more than ever, our nation is in need of prayer for the protection of the unborn and the dignity of all human life," Archbishop Naumann said in a statement. "I am happy to be joined by bishops in dioceses across the country who are hosting pro-life prayer events including during the overnight hours of Eucharistic adoration. I invite all Catholics to spend time with our Lord and join in this nationwide vigil for life."