DEACON FOR LIFE: Respect Life: Celebrating the Assumption

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Respect Life: Celebrating the Assumption

August Prayer Guide

Pray

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflect

This month, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, marking her entrance into heavenly glory, both body and soul. Mary’s Assumption into heaven reminds us that life on earth is a pilgrimage to our ultimate destination. We prepare in hope for our own passage into eternal life by the choices we make today.

Throughout her life, the Blessed Mother continually chose to go deeper into her relationship with God. She modeled how to value and respect His precious gift of human life from the moment of conception to its natural end. In the Annunciation, through her “yes,” Mary bore witness to the humanity of unborn children as she conceived and carried the Christ child in her womb. After the Annunciation, having learned that her cousin Elizabeth was with child, she went in haste to her aid.

Our Blessed Mother shows us how the way we live today can prepare us, in hope, to also enter into heavenly glory at the end of our lives.

Are we open to God’s precious gift of new life? How do we support expectant mothers and parents of young children? Do we prioritize love and care for loved ones who are ill or aging?

Act (Choose one.)

Offer Pope Francis’ “Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Whom do you know who could use a little extra care and support right now? Make some time for them this week.
Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this month’s intention.

One Step Further

While the end of our lives may seem far off, none of us know when God will call us home. Learn more about how we can prepare for our entrance into eternal life or support a loved one through this transition in “Catholic Considerations for Our Earthly Passing.”

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Forward

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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.”