The Archbishop of Philadelphia Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. announced today that the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are encouraged to observe Friday, May 24, 2013 as a day of prayer and penance, in response to the trial and conviction of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell.

Archbishop Chaput is asking that the faithful participate in this day, with others or alone, by: attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion, meditating on the Word of God, spending time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, making the Way of the Cross, or fasting and abstaining from eating meat.

I think whether you’re in Philly or not, this is a worthy thing to do.

The recent trial and conviction of the Philadelphia abortion doctor, Kermit Gosnell, for killing
three babies born alive, manifested in yet another vivid way the horrific details of the abortion
culture that confronts the Gospel of Life.

Christians have no option but to respond with prayer and penance in reparation for these crimes against the sacredness of human life, especially in the womb. The battle for the protection of human life is equally a spiritual battle as it is culturally, socially and politically.

The Archdiocese point out that this falls on the same day as the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. “Our prayers and penances in
reparation for the crimes against human life in our own city unite us to the same intentions for
our brothers and sisters in China,” says the archdiocese.