Respect Life Novena - Concluding Prayer

 

Thank you for praying for the protection of human life! The last nine days, we've united in prayer with THOUSANDS of Catholics nationwide. That's powerful. Going forward, you'll get monthly pro-life prayers in the same format, along with other occasional updates.*

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP THOMAS

Please join Bishop Thomas in one final prayer.

en español

A Prayer for Hope Heavenly Father, in the sacrament of Baptism, you have given us the gift of new life. Through your son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you have made us your own.   Help us to recognize the gift of human life as a sign of hope in our world.  Reveal to us the places where your precious gift of life is most in need of protection and strengthen us to defend life in all stages and circumstances, from the child in the womb to the elderly and dying.  Guided by your Holy Spirit, guard us from discouragement and give us the grace to be messengers of hope, filled with confidence that nothing can separate us from your love.   Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Respect Life Novena Day 9

 

DAY 9

INTERCESSION May all Catholics help build a culture that cherishes every person as a precious gift from God.

PRAYERS Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION Human life is under attack in countless ways in our culture today. In the face of so many threats to life, we may become discouraged and wonder how we can make a difference. As Christians, we depend not on our own strength, but on God and His Spirit moving within us. Changing the culture is a process of conversion that begins in our own hearts. We are called to draw close to Jesus, willing to be instructed in His truth and transformed by His love. When we encounter Christ, experience His love, and deepen our relationship with Him in prayer and the sacraments, we come to a greater understanding of our own worth and that of others. As we become more united with Jesus, it becomes easier to perceive how He is guiding us. God has given each of us particular gifts, and with those gifts He entrusts us with a role and duty within the Body of Christ. There are many ways that we can help to build a culture that cherishes the gift of human life, including service, advocacy, education, and civic engagement, for example. With prayer as our essential foundation, may God guide each of us in how we are uniquely called to contribute to a culture of life.

ACTS OF REPARATION (Choose one.) Abstain from meat today. Offer the “Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life” for today’s intention. Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

ONE STEP FURTHER Prayer changes us. Spending time with Jesus transforms our hearts and opens us to receive the fullness of God’s grace. Inspired by God’s love, we are called to put our love into action. Reflect more deeply on how you can help build a culture of life in, “Radical Solidarity.”

Day 8 of the Respect Life Novena

 

DAY 8

INTERCESSION May our nation end its use of the death penalty, bearing witness to the dignity of every human life.

PRAYERS Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be

REFLECTION As Catholics, we believe and put our hope in a merciful and loving God, conscious of our own brokenness and need for redemption. Our Lord calls us to imitate Him by witnessing to the inherent dignity of every person, including those whose actions have been despicable. Our hope lies in the mercy of God who says to us, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt 5:7) and “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). In the story of Cain and Abel, God refuses to take Cain’s life as punishment for killing his brother. But God’s justice requires that Cain live the rest of his earthly life as a wanderer. Through this account, we are reminded that “not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, and God Himself pledges to guarantee this. And it is precisely here that the paradoxical mystery of the merciful justice of God is shown forth” (Evangelium vitae 9).  As the culture of death threatens to select who does and who does not deserve life, we must uphold that all human life has invaluable dignity and worth. As Christians, we are called to witness to the Gospel of life, hope, and mercy.

ACTS OF REPARATION (Choose one.) Embrace silence today. Refrain from listening to music or podcasts during mundane moments of your day like commuting, cooking, or cleaning. Instead, turn your attention to God’s voice without noise or distractions. Pray the Angelus today—on awakening, at noon, or at 6 p.m. (or all three times). Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

ONE STEP FURTHER For people committed to upholding the sanctity of human life, the need to respect and protect innocent human life is apparent. For some, however, issues like the death penalty may seem less clear. Find answers to common questions about the death penalty from a Catholic perspective in, “Death Penalty: Catholic Q&A.”

Day 7 of the Respect Life Novena

 

DAY 7

INTERCESSION May healthcare always respect God’s design and protect His gift of human life.

PRAYERS Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be

REFLECTION Jesus’ care for those who were sick provided a model for all healthcare to follow. His healing mission wasn’t limited to physical afflictions. Rather, He reached “people at the deepest level of their existence,”1 healing them in mind, body, and soul, calling them to new life in Him. Healthcare professionals have been entrusted with “a special vocation to share in carrying forth God’s life-giving and healing work.”2 The care they give must be in keeping with the well-being of the person in mind, body, and spirit3 and always have as its goal the protection of human life—never its destruction.  Yet in an age of rapid scientific and technological developments, as well as profound social change, this is not always the case. There are many instances in healthcare settings in which God’s design for the human person is violated. Abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, IVF, and contraception are just some examples among many. Authentic healthcare must always have as its goal the service and care of human life, and never its destruction.

ACTS OF REPARATION (Choose one.) Sacrifice snacking today. Enjoy three small, simple meals but refrain from eating in between. Offer this “Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe” for today’s intention. Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

ONE STEP FURTHER When married couples have difficulty conceiving a child and turn to healthcare providers, they might be offered options that are not in keeping with Catholic teaching, like in vitro fertilization. Why do some reproductive technologies pose serious moral problems, while others respect God’s design and protect human life? Learn more in “Seven Considerations While Navigating Infertility.” Additional reading: “Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology.”