DEACON FOR LIFE: Praying for Life: Elected Officials & Holy Souls

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Praying for Life: Elected Officials & Holy Souls

Praying for Life: November 2016

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Intention

May those elected to public office at local, state, and national levels support and defend the dignity of all human life.

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

November, observed as the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, begins with the Solemnity of All Saints November 1 and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) November 2. These feasts remind us of the beauty and dignity of all human life.

All people share a common dignity, having been created in God’s image and likeness and called to eternal life with him. We are also made to depend on one another, and it is an act of mercy to pray for each other. This month especially, we ask the saints in heaven to join us in prayer for those who have not yet reached their heavenly resting place.

We also ask them to join us in prayer for the candidates at all levels of government who will be elected. May those who answer the call of public service cherish, protect, and defend all human life.

Acts of Reparation (choose one)

Offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for a loved one who has passed away.

Fast on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8). Offer your sacrifice for the intention that those elected to office will defend all human life.

Pray the Litany of the Saints, asking their intercession especially for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

One Step Further

Read “Caring for Loved Ones at Life's End.”* When loved ones near the end of life, we may not know how to support them. This article offers ten suggestions anchored in unconditional respect for human life that helps readers know how to provide authentically compassionate care.

*Order this brochure for your parish or school, and check out our other NEW Respect Life materials!

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available:

Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number: 888-456-HOPE(-4673) or visit

www.hopeafterabortion.org

USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017-1194

LIFE IS SACRED

An example of the traditional magisterial teaching which indicates that it is never morally licit to intentionally kill a child through abortion in order to “save the life of its mother” comes from the teaching of Pope Pius XII:

“Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral ‘indication’ that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit.”