Jan. 22 is the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that led to the legalization of abortion in the United States.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has declared this a “day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through the acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.” Due to the date falling on a Sunday this year, the day of penance and prayer is to be commemorated Jan. 23.

Jan Kahle

How will you offer penance and prayer? Here are 5 suggestions that may be helpful:

FAST — For the day, you could give up one cup of coffee or pop and have water instead or skip a half hour of watching TV or refrain from being part of a conversation about another person.

SACRIFICE — For the day, you could park in the farthest spot in the parking lot or make a donation to a pregnancy center of the money in your wallet or spend time talking to a person you find challenging.

PRAY — For the day, you could say a prayer asking for God’s mercy and help for those who have had an abortion or at every hour say the prayer, “Jesus, please protect the unborn,” or say a rosary that mothers and fathers will choose life for their children.

WITNESS — For the day, you could wear a symbol of life such as a rose or pray outside an abortion clinic or share your support of life in conversations with others.

ADVOCATE — For the day, you could learn more about current life legislation at the federal or state level or write a letter to the editor about your support for families harmed by abortion or email a political leader and encourage him or her to be or continue to be pro-life.

Whatever you choose to do, something above or something different, remember: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

Jan Kahle is the respect life coordinator for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo. She may be contacted at jkahle@toledodiocese.org.