An estimated 10,000 pilgrims travelled from both near and far to attend Mass at the opening of the National Prayer Vigil for Life celebrated on Thursday, January 23 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
The pilgrims joined 46 deacons, 303 priests, 39 bishops, and three cardinals participating in the Mass, held the evening before the annual March for Life. The principal celebrant and homilist was Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the US bishops’ pro-life committee, together with Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
