Respect Life and Pro-Life Ministries

This month we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life). This Church teaching on the value and inviolability of every human life remains an indispensable source of truth for all people. Written by Pope St. John Paul II, Evangelium vitae was appropriately given in Rome on the Solemnity of the Annunciation on March 25, 1995. 

Pray the following intercessions in honor of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the 25th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae.

 For any expectant mother considering abortion: May the Lord protect her and give her the grace and resolve to choose life for her child; We pray to the Lord. 

For those nearing the end of life: May they be given the grace to persevere in faith and place their trust in God, as they prepare for eternity with Christ; We pray to the Lord.

May all who have been wounded by abortion be filled with the hope that does not disappoint, and be healed by Christ; We pray to the Lord. 

As we prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical, the Gospel of Life, may we recommit ourselves to protecting human life in all stages and circumstances; We pray to the Lord.

Inspired by the example of the Blessed Mother, may we, like Mary, have the courage to say “yes” to life in all circumstances, from conception to natural death; We pray to the Lord.

May any mother facing an unexpected pregnancy be lovingly accompanied as she prepares to encounter Christ anew through the gift of her child; We pray to the Lord.
 

Father of all mercy, 
We thank you for this season of grace and light. 
We know that sin has blinded us. 
Draw us ever closer to you, in prayer and penance. 
 
Since you, O God, are light itself, 
Give all your people a clearer understanding 
Of what is sin, and what is virtue. 
 
Grant in particular that we may see, as never before, 
The profound dignity of every human life, 
Including the vulnerable unborn children. 
 
Give us grace to defend
Our brothers and sisters in the womb
By our prayers, our words,
And our self-sacrificing actions.
 
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Learn the Church's teaching about the right to life, and find out what you can do to defend it. Watch new episodes of Defending Life beginning March 5 and airing on EWTN Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET and rebroadcast Mondays at 3:30 a.m. ET.  For show topics visit DefendingLife.TV. New episodes of The Catholic View for Women will begin airing on EWTN Sunday, March 1 and air Sundays at 2:30 a.m. ET and rebroadcast Sundays at 11:30 p.m. ET. See TheCatholicViewForWomen.com for episode details.