DAY OF PENANCE FOR ABORTION Lectionary #887–891

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes that “in all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life (373). The Mass “for peace and justice” should be used.

Suggested Lectionary texts:

Isaiah 32:15–18 (887-2). The prophet's vision of a peaceful society is one built on right and justice.

Responsorial Psalm (71) 72 (889-1)

In the reign of the ideal king, the lowly and the poor will find justice.

Every Nation on Earth (Joncas), Refrain II GC 72/RS 102

Justice Shall Flourish (Cooney) GP 220/JS 57

Justice Shall Flourish (Guimont) RS 101

Justice Shall Flourish (Schiavone) WOR 769

Justice Will Flourish in His Time (Armstrong) CBW III 20

Justice Will Flourish in His Time (Dohms) WC 396

Se Postrarán ante Ti/Every Nation upon Earth (Cortez), Respuesta II FYC 219

Philippians 4:6–9 (888-1). Paul offers a “household code”—a simple set of rules to live by. For the Christian, this code requires fidelity to truth, justice, beauty, and excellence.

Matthew 5:38–48 (891-2). This section of the Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most challenging moral prescriptions in the New Testament: Offer no resistance to one who is evil; pray for your persecutors. On this day, these texts point us toward practices that will make our penance effective and our defense of life successful.

Songs of Penitence

As a Fire Is Meant for Burning RS 779

Ashes GP 340/JS 374

Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel CH 600

Beloved Son and Daughter Dear CH 234

Change Our Hearts GP 349

Come, Ye Disconsolate LMGM 255

Forgive Our Sins CBW III 620/JS 556/RS 952/WC 660/WOR 754

God Made from One Blood RS 824

Grant to Us, O Lord CBW III 621A/CH 465/WC 662

Help Us Accept Each Other WOR 656

Hold Us in Your Mercy GP 350

Holy Darkness GP 477

If I Have Wounded Any Soul LMGM 312

Lead Me, Guide Me GC 574/LMGM 168/RS 712/WC 770

Lord, I'm Coming Home LMGM 178

Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace CH 612/RS 751/WC 762/WOR 602

Our Father, by Whose Name CH 621

Our Father, We Have Wandered CH 401/JS 554/RS 955/WC 665/WOR 755

Pardon Your People GP 470

Perdón, Señor FYC 359

Perdona a Tu Pueblo FYC 345

Remember Your Love GP 474/JS 561

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling JS 557

Te Pedimos Perdón FYC 353

The Church of Christ in Every Age CH 613/WC 920

The Cry of the Poor GC 48/GP 203/JS 847/RS 69

There's a Wideness in God's Mercy CBW III 443/CH 535/GP 639/JS 748/RS 742/WC 659/WOR 595, 596

We Will Journey in Faith JS 552

What Does the Lord Require RS 785/WOR 624

Your Love, O Lord, Has All the World Created JS 841