The Diocese of St. Petersburg shared a memorial Prayer for Life on the Day of Prayer for Legal Protection of Unborn Children on the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that made the abortion legal in the United States. 

The first March for Life took place in January 1974 and was organized by Nellie Gray a year after the Supreme Court decision. The march will continue every year until the decision is overturned, according to March for Life.

“Today is the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade," the Diocese of St. Petersburg posted on Facebook. "It is also the Day of Prayer for Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  Join us in offering this Prayer for Life, for all the babies whose lives were tragically ended by abortion, for those who suffer the aftermath and for all unborn children whose lives are at risk.

The following Prayer for Life was posted on the Diocese of St. Petersburg Facebook page:

"Father and maker of all, You adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.” 

The theme of the 49th annual March for Life on Jan 21 in Washington, D.C., was “equality begins in the womb.”  

"Participants in the March were optimistic about the future of the pro-life movement in the United States, as a decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case is expected this summer,” Fox News reported.

January 22 is the designated Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children in the U.S.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”