Day of Penance

Today, January 22 is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. This marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade(1973), the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. Since January 22 is a Day of Penance, all Catholics are obliged to undertake some form of penance in reparation for sins against human dignity, particularly abortion. Penance can include fasting, abstaining from eating meat, performing works of charity, and/or spending extra time in prayer.