Sunday, March 15, 2026

Day 6: St. Joseph Adoption Novena

 


DAY 6
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INTENTION

For Adopted Children​


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SCRIPTURE
(John 14:16-21)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."


SILENT REFLECTION
Pause for a moment of silent reflection.


PRAYER

Father,

We are all your adopted children, not by flesh or by
desire, but through the power of the incarnation of
your most beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Bless those children who have been adopted into
new families, that they may experience the love that
you have shown us which surpasses even the love of
a mother for her child. 

In the difficult transitions and hardships that might
beset them in their struggle for belonging, give every
adopted child the grace to embrace their new family
and trust in your paternal care for them, which
lasts forever.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


PETITION TO ST. JOSEPH

Blessed Joseph,

Christ Jesus humbly accepted you as his earthly
father and was obedient to you and the Blessed
Virgin Mary.

In turn, you raised Jesus as your own son, protected
him from harm, provided for his daily needs and
loved him with all your heart.

Pray for all adopted children – infants, children,
and teens.

Hear the desires deep in their hearts
for acceptance and love,
and keep them safe from all anxiety.

And when they pray,
intercede for them before the Father.

St. Joseph, Guardian of the Christ Child,
pray for us.


CONCLUDING PRAYERS

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be






Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

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40 Days for Love: DAY 26: Vigils Getting Younger

 


 



Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we've seen record demand for 40 Days for Life...


...and that demand is growing younger and younger! Monica in Ventura, California, praised the students at St. Thomas Aquinas College, who fill the Thursday vigil schedule every week of the campaign.


"These guys look a little tired--they drove half an hour to make their 7:00 a.m. vigil slot," she said. "Did I mention that it's cold and raining? ... But they're smiling. ... God bless these students."


Students like this are exactly why a donor decided to establish our 4040 Scholarship--a $4,040 scholarship to honor and incentivize pro-life college students making an impact on campus:


40daysforlife.com/scholarship

The 4040 Scholarship winner will be awarded funding toward tuition, plus round-trip transportation and accommodations to accept the scholarship on stage at the Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco!


Full-time pro-life students at a U.S.-based college or university are eligible to apply!


Monica said she is encouraged by the presence of the students at her vigil. "Any doubts or discouragement on my part [are] immediately dispelled at the sight of those smiling faces," she said.

Albuquerque, New Mexico


One recent day, prayer warriors described the atmosphere in front of the Albuquerque abortion facility as "dark," with more than 30 abortion clients inside.


But not all the women would go through with their abortions!


Two friends--both pregnant and both abortion-bound--encountered the 40 Days for Life vigil...and both chose life as a result!


"They were abortion-minded," explained Christina, the local 40 Days for Life leader. "But after seeing both Papa Phil and Juanita praying on the sidewalk...the moms chose life [and] are receiving help from the pregnancy resource center."

Ferndale, Michigan


"You disgust me!" a passerby told Suzanne as she stood vigil in suburban Detroit.


Suzanne wasn't sure how to respond to a greeting like that, so she just replied, "I'm sorry you feel that way."


It turns out the man thought her motives were political.


"I'm not Democrat or Republican," Suzanne assured him, explaining that her only agenda was to provide help and life-affirming alternatives to women in crisis. "Would I really be standing out [in the cold] weather if I didn't care?"


That reply changed the man's tone entirely. He apologized, engaged Suzanne in conversation, shared that she made his day, and said, "I love you, human!"


It goes to show how powerful your witness is--especially when the weather or members of the community make you uncomfortable.


"A conversation that started off with a vulgar remark ended in genuine communication, understanding, and appreciation, all because he took the time to stop and talk," Suzanne reflected. "A simple conversation can make all the difference!"

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”

--Luke 15:20


Jesus, you have given us good pastors to lead your faithful. We thank you for their guidance and service, and we ask you to give them renewed strength. Help them to follow you with steadfast devotion. Guide their every action and give them the words to say to bring many people back to you. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life



40 Days for Life | 4112 East 29th Street | Bryan, TX 77802 US


Saturday, March 14, 2026

Day 5: St. Joseph Adoption Novena