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Intercession
May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.
Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection
Fatherhood
has its origins in God, who chose to reveal Himself to us as Our
Father, sending his only Son for the sake of our salvation. Fathers
therefore have a special role “in revealing and in reliving on earth the
very fatherhood of God” (Familiaris consortio 25). Fathers are called to exhibit “generous responsibility for the life conceived under the heart of the mother” (FC
25). They are uniquely entrusted with the protection and defense of
both mother and child and, in this way, in safeguarding the sanctity of
human life.
As evidenced in our world today, the role of the father “is of unique and irreplaceable importance” (FC
25). Often women choose abortion because they do not have the support
of the child’s father, or—even worse—the father of the child pressures
her to make the decision to abort. At the same time, it is important to
acknowledge with compassion that men can also be overwhelmed by an
unexpected pregnancy and that society increasingly tells them that they
should have no say in their children’s lives. In the face of these false
messages, we pray that expectant fathers will find courage in the
example of Saint Joseph—who embraced the role of father amid difficult
circumstances—and offer loving, life-affirming support to the mothers of
their children.
Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)
- Give
up sleeping on your pillow—or even your bed—tonight. Offer this small
sacrifice for the intention that expectant fathers will courageously
answer their call to support both mother and child.
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Pray a decade of the Rosary for all expectant fathers, that through her intercession, Our Lady may inspire in them the virtues of St. Joseph.
- Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.
One Step Further
Research continues to show that one of the top reasons a woman chooses abortion is due to a lack of financial resources. Read Poverty and Abortion: A Vicious Cycle, which explores the connections between abortion and poverty, and how the absence of fathers contributes to this ongoing cycle.
Familiaris consortio (On the Family),
no. 25 © 1981, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All
rights reserved. Models used for illustrative purposes only. iStock.com /
Rawpixel. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022, United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
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