USCCB: Novena Closing Prayer and Note from Chairman

 

          en español

FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BISHOPS' PRO-LIFE COMMITTEE

Thank you for praying for the protection of human life!

Going forward, you'll automatically get monthly prayers, along with other pro-life updates. In the meantime, I invite you to pray the following prayer for a very special intention.

On November 5, people across the country in ten states – Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota – will vote on proposed amendments to their state constitutions that would establish powerful and devastating new rights to abortion, in most cases at any stage of pregnancy.

If you are eligible to vote in these states, please take time to learn about the threats of these often-deceptive proposals, such as by visiting the website of your state Catholic conference, and vote to protect life. And regardless of where you live, please keep this in your prayers. I am very grateful for your commitment to protecting God's precious gift of human life.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge

Bishop of Arlington

Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities

PRAYER FOR STATES FACING PRO-ABORTION BALLOT INITIATIVES

Ever-living God, you give life and desire a future for all your children. Take hold of our nation, state, and community and awaken in every heart awe for the gift of life. Send your Spirit to strengthen us with wisdom and fortitude as we defend mothers and children from laws that disregard their health and safety.

Mary and Joseph trusted in you and welcomed Jesus into our broken world. Father, we ask their intercession to protect the preborn and their mothers, and to guide all parents in raising their children. May they help us build a civilization of love by upholding the sacredness of life, preserving parental rights, and accompanying pregnant women in need. We ask this through

Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady, Mother of the Family, pray for us!

St. Joseph, Protector of the Unborn, pray for us!

DON'T MISS THIS!

In his Respect Life Month statement, Bishop Burbidge encourages Catholics to participate in a "revival of prayer and action" for the protection of human life.

During a one-hour webinar on Monday, November 18 at 8 PM Eastern, learn how to help your parish observe the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children in January. Even though January may feel far away, the step-by-step planning timeline starts in mid-November, so don't miss out!

Register Here

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USCCB: Day 9 of Respect Life Month Novena

 

 

en español 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. Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child.   We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God’s most precious gift of life.   Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life —especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things. Amen. 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.” NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission. Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life), no.9 © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2023, USCCB, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017-1194 US USCCB Respect Life About | Website | Store

USCCB: Day 8 of Respect Life Month Novena

 

          en español

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 Marys, 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.”

NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission. Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life), no.9 © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2023, USCCB, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

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USCCB: Day 7 of Respect Life Month Novena

 

 

en español DAY 7 INTERCESSION May healthcare always respect God’s design and protect His gift of human life. PRAYERS Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, 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. Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of unborn children, we implore your intercession for every child at risk of abortion. Help expectant parents to welcome from God the priceless gift of their child’s life. Console parents who have lost that gift through abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing through the Divine Mercy of your Son. Teach us to cherish and to care for family and friends until God calls them home. Help us never to see others as burdens. Guide our public officials to defend each and every human life through just laws. Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life, to speak for those who have no voice. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself. Amen. 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.” 1 Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Sixth Edition, p 6. 2 Ibid, p 7. 3 Ibid, p 13.   Excerpts from Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Sixth Edition © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. Copyright © 2023, USCCB, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017-1194 US   USCCB Respect Life About | Website | Store