The Catholic bishops leading the three dioceses serving Maryland – Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, and Bishop William Koenig of Wilmington, Delaware – will lead a Prayer Vigil for Life and Lawmakers on Thursday March 9 at 7 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis. The event, sponsored by the Maryland Catholic Conference, will also include remarks by Gloria Purvis, a nationally-known Catholic, African-American pro-life activist.

The prayer service is being held as the Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation that would put forth a ballot measure to the state’s voters on enshrining abortion rights in Maryland’s constitution. The vigil will take place during the same week that the Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates are holding hearings on legislation to legalize physician-assisted suicide in the state.

Free on-site parking is available at St. Mary’s Church, or people can park along the street. Visit the Maryland Catholic Conference’s web page for the event at www.mdcatholic.org/vigilforlife for information on the vigil. The conference’s  website at www.mdcatholic.org has information on how to take a stand on legislation impacting life issues in the Maryland General Assembly.

Last year, after the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion on demand across the United States, the Maryland Catholic Conference – the public policy arm of Maryland’s Catholic bishops – launched an initiative called Helping Hope Bloom to encourage support, practical resources and prayer for women who are pregnant and parenting. 

The Helping Hope Bloom web page at https://www.mdcatholic.org/hopeblooms offers ideas for parishes and individuals who want to do something, or do more, to help women in need, and it includes resources available for pregnant and parenting women across Maryland.