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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 are offered in both English and Spanish, and 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 November 1 at 2 p.m. ET for our next vigil.

Featuring: Msgr. Swetland, president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, KS who will lead us in a Scripture reflection.

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.

Simultaneous Spanish language interpretation is available. Please invite anyone who would benefit from this service!

La interpretación simultánea en español ahora estará disponible. ¡Invite a cualquiera que se beneficie de este servicio!

Prayer Resources

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

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…

Impending Execution: Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots

The devotion to our Lady Undoer of Knots began in the 2nd century with St. Irenaeus. He wrote, “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by the obedience of Mary; what the virgin Eve bound by her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosened by her faith.” With this Novena, we pray for Mary, our Advocate, and…

Sample Prayers of the Faithful for Respect Life Month

These sample prayers of the faithful center around the work to end the death penalty and build a more restorative criminal justice system. They can be used in October during Respect Life Month or any time of the year. >> Click here to download Prayers of the Faithful in Spanish

St. Maximilian Kolbe Prayer Service

This prayer service focuses on the life and ministry of St. Maximilian Kolbe, patron saint of prisoners and the pro-life movement. Lifting up the work of all pro-life advocates, the service highlights in a particular way our shared Catholic call to end the use of the death penalty. This resource features: A short biography of St. Maximilian Kolbe…

Feast of St. Joseph Prayer Service

March 19th is the feast day of St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, travelers, fathers, immigrants, and the Congregation of St. Joseph, of which Catholic Mobilizing Network is a sponsored ministry. This prayer service takes inspiration in the life of St. Joseph, and asks for this intercession for the work of transforming the criminal…

A Prayer Vigil for an Execution

Intended for use in the days and hours surrounding an execution, CMN’s Prayer Vigil for an Execution allows participants to reflect on the themes of forgiveness and mercy in the face of the death penalty. The service invites all to lift up the dignity of life and pray for those impacted by violence, deepening our…

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