The Respect Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Atlanta is sponsoring several activities in January, including a lock-in for teens and a Mass, to observe the 39th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the U.S.

The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in America on Jan. 22, 1973, with its Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions. The anniversary is observed with prayer for the right to life and to protest the loss of innocent life in abortion.

On Sunday to Monday, Jan. 22-23, the Rise Up for Life Pro-Life Lock-in for Teens will be held at Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fayetteville. The event, co-sponsored by the archdiocesan Respect Life Ministry and the Office of Formation and Discipleship, will begin with Mass celebrated by Bishop Luis R. Zarama. All teens are invited to attend the lock-in, which will include worship, fellowship and education, as well as an opportunity to advocate for life at the state Capitol.

The Rosary for Life and the annual Mass for the Unborn will take place on Monday, Jan. 23, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta.

All are invited to the day’s events, which include Mass at 10 a.m., preceded by a Rosary for Life at 9:30 a.m. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory will serve as the main celebrant for the Mass, which will be concelebrated by priests of the archdiocese.

Following Mass, the Together for Life Memorial Service, sponsored by Georgia Right to Life, will begin at noon on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, followed at 1 p.m. by the annual police-escorted silent memorial walk. The one-mile walk begins and ends on the steps of the Capitol.

Parking will be available at Underground Atlanta, though attendees may also use MARTA and exit at the Five Points station. The Shrine is located at 48 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW, Atlanta.