PORTLAND — Maine Catholics are invited to join thousands of Catholics across the country in nine days of prayer for life and human dignity.

The event, “9 Days for Life,” is scheduled to run from Wednesday, Jan. 19, through Thursday, Jan. 27, and is a novena for the protection of life, according to a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life.

The novena is sponsored and organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. This marks the 10th year of the commemoration, which serves as an opportunity for recollection and reparation in observation of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the United States).

The overarching intention of the novena is the end to abortion.

The novena encompasses the National Prayer Vigil for Life (Thursday, Jan. 20), March for Life (Friday, Jan. 21), and the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (Saturday, Jan. 22).

Participants can download the novena, sign up to receive daily prayers via email or text message, and view a variety of resources and materials by visiting 9daysforlife.com or respectlife.org/9-days-for-life. Materials are available in English and Spanish.