Prayer
Vigils

As long as lives are on the line, our work must be rooted in prayer.

First Friday Prayer Vigils

On the First Friday of each month, CMN invites you to a virtual prayer vigil, a sacred space to lament upcoming executions and bear witness to the sanctity of all human life. Join us to stand in solidarity with people facing execution, their victims, and all who are impacted by the unjust system of capital punishment.

First Friday Prayer Vigils include time for guided prayer, petitions, Scripture reflections, and contemplative silence. Catholic bishops, ministry leaders, and allies from the abolition movement often lend their voices to these gatherings.

Our Next Vigil

Join us on February 6 at 2 p.m. ET for our next vigil.

Featuring Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P a Dominican Sister of Adrian, Michigan.


What to Expect

Virtual prayer vigils are held on Zoom and live-streamed to CMN’s YouTube channel. On the day of the vigil, registrants receive an emailed link with instructions on how to join. You can also sign up above to get vigil reminders delivered automatically each month to your inbox.

Register for the next vigil.

Prayer Resources

Explore a variety of prayers from CMN’s resource library.

  • Cuando la angustia está cerca, concédeles fortaleza y consuelo

    Escrita por Yohan Garcia para la vigilia de octubre de 2021 de Catholic Mobilizing Network. Oración inspirada en el Salmo 22 Padre celestial, Venimos a ti en este día sabiendo que tú eres el Santo.Acudimos a ti unidos en oración por nuestros hermanos y hermanas condenados a muerte y que se encuentran en el corredor…
  • While Trouble is Near, Give Them Strength and Consolation

    Written by Yohan Garcia for Catholic Mobilizing Network’s October 2021 Virtual Prayer Vigil. Prayer inspired by Psalm 22 Heavenly Father, We come to you on this day knowing that you are the Holy One.We come to you united in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are on death row.We come to you to in…
  • A Thanksgiving Prayer of Gratitude

    Loving God, may our hearts be filled with gratitude not just today but every day. Your blessings surround us, but too often we ignore them or lose sight of them in the presence of current challenges. Open our hearts to see the signs of your love in our midst and remind us that we are…
  • Prayer of the U.S. Bishops to Address the Sin of Racism

    Lord of all, we pray for healing to address the persistent sin of racism, which is the rejection of the full humanity of some of your children, and the talents and potential you have given them. We pray for the grace to recognize the systems that do not support the dignity of every person, that…
  • The Jubilee Prayer

    Father in heaven,may the faith you have given usin your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,and the flame of charity enkindledin our hearts by the Holy Spirit,reawaken in us the blessed hopefor the coming of your Kingdom. May your grace transform usinto tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.May those seeds transform from within both…
  • Prayer Vigil on the Day of an Execution (English/Spanish)

    Drawn from the resources compiled for a Prayer Vigil in Texas, this bilingual resource is aimed at assisting those planning prayer vigils in states where condemned prisoners are to be executed. Although it is specifically worded for a vigil on the night before or day of a scheduled execution, it is easily adaptable to other…

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