Lauda Jerusalem (2019)

17 January 2019

Refrain:
Lauda Jerúsalem Dóminum,
Lauda Deum tuum Sion.
Hosánna, Hosánna,
Hosánna Fílio David.

Verse:
1. He has strengthened the bars of your gates,
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.

2. He showers down snow white as wool,
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them;
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

3. He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.

4. Give praise to the Father Almighty,
to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,
to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,
both now and for ever. Amen.

Full video:
Opening Mass:    • 2019 Vigil Mass for Life  
Closing Mass:    • Closing Mass for the Solemn Prayer Vi...  

Peter Latona, D.M.A., Director of Music
Benjamin J. LaPrairie, M.M., Associate Director of Music
Andrew Vu, M.M., Assistant Organist
Robert Grogan, D.M.A., Carillonneur and Organist Emeritus
Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine
Katie Baughman, D.M.A., Crossley Hawn, M.M.,
Susan Lewis Kavinski, B.M., Jacob Perry Jr., B.A.,
Cantors of the Basilica

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

National Prayer Vigil for Life 2020
Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life
Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Closing Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life
Friday, January 24, 2020 at 7:30 am

HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE

What is today the National Prayer Vigil for Life began in 1979 as the National Rosary for Life and all-night vigil from the inspiration of Maryknoll Brother Goretti Zilli from New York. Fifty people attended the first vigil Mass celebrated by Father John Gabin of Philadelphia in the lower level Crypt Church. Eucharistic adoration and other devotions continued through the night, with Father John Randall of Providence offering Mass at midnight. Brother Michael Cerrone, (who later became Army Chaplain Father Michael Cerrone) coordinated and led prayers through the night for an end to abortion, and then led the group in the March for Life the following morning.

Key organizers of the first Vigil also include Mrs. Sally Reynolds and the Mothers of Mary of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Miss Virginia Murphy and the Immaculate Heart Reparation Society of D.C., as well as groups from Michigan and Rhode Island. At their request the following year, Cardinal John Carberry asked the Bishops’ conference to co-sponsor the event. With every passing year, thousands of Catholics from all over the country have responded enthusiastically and in ever greater numbers by taking part in the National Prayer Vigil for Life.

Today, the founders’ dream of a program of prayer for life exceeds anything they could have envisioned. The Great Upper Church of the Basilica fills to overflowing for the opening liturgy, which is concelebrated by hundreds of clergy, including Bishops, Cardinals, and the Apostolic Nuncio, the Holy Father’s personal representative in the United States. With the assistance of the Eternal Word Television Network, the Opening and Closing Masses of the National Prayer Vigil for Life are televised live worldwide.
After the Opening Mass, programs of prayer and adoration continue throughout the night beginning with the National Rosary for Life and ending with Morning Prayer and Benediction. On the following morning, thousands more gather in the Great Upper Church for the Closing Mass of the Vigil before taking part in the March for Life on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

The Church and the Pro-Life movement are deeply indebted to the visionaries who began this event decades ago. May this great prayer for life continue as their lasting legacy for years to come.