It’s not every day that a state capitol building welcomes the Blessed Sacrament and allows adorers to pray for the unborn.

But on Jan. 22, the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn, more than 80 people prayed before the Eucharist during adoration, which was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ohio Statehouse’s Governor Thomas Worthington Center, according to The Catholic Times.

Brian Hickey, executive director at the Catholic Conference of Ohio, said it was encouraging to have a large turnout of Catholics from across the state, according to The Catholic Times. 

“Many traveled hours to pray with us,” he said.

This is not the first time that the statehouse has hosted the Eucharistic Lord. The Catholic Conference of Ohio, which lobbies on behalf of the bishops of Ohio, organized the first opportunity for adoration at the Capitol in late 2024, according to a story the Catholic Times published that year. The event has been held about once per quarter since.

In 2024, Father Daniel Bowen, who led benediction and the Angelus for the first statehouse adoration event, gave thanks for living in a nation where Catholics can practice their faith openly.

“It really is our duty and responsibility to be involved in the civil affairs,” Fr. Bowen said, according to the 2024 Catholic Times report. “Thankfully, we live in a country, in a state where our faith is not persecuted, and we are able to openly practice our faith even to the point where we can bring our Lord in the statehouse. The fact that that could be possible and was welcomed and invited, we should thank God for that.”

The nation’s bishops encouraged all Catholics to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Jan. 22 to Jan. 23 for an end to abortion and for respect for all human life.

Mary Kristof, associate director for the Columbus diocese’s Office of Pro-Life Activities, explained why she thought adoration was a particularly fitting way to heed the bishops’ call.

“Adoration especially reminds us that our life is a gift to be given back to God,” she said, according to the Catholic Times. “We hope that our prayerful witness will remind legislators of their duty to establish a just society that protects children and helps families flourish.”

Hickey told the outlet that he believes that adoring the Blessed Sacrament in such a public and influential place gives opportunities for powerful change.

“A continued presence in the Statehouse allows us to encounter and dialogue on the counter-cultural social doctrine of the Catholic Church,” he said, “which can transform hearts and minds.”