Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of October is a special month for us as Catholics because it is a month dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Our Blessed Mother is a Good and Holy Mother who was given to us as our mother by Christ Himself from the Cross. She is one who always intercedes for us, prays for us, and always protects us.

I invite you to pray the Holy Rosary every day, asking for peace, unity, and above all for a deeper respect for life. I also invite you to pray the Holy Rosary every day for an end to abortion.

Every October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month. This month is meant to help us focus on defending life, especially the unborn and those who have no voice. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning to the end of their lives, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human being. All human life is precious because it is created by God. Therefore, every human being, born and unborn, is to be respected and seen as created in the image and likeness of God. It is hard to believe that people in this day and age, with all the science and resources, still believe that killing a baby means nothing.

For our part, we must pray that wisdom prevails and ask for God’s mercy for all those involved with the abortion industry, for abortion doctors, and for the institutions that profit from the destruction of the life of the unborn.

The following list includes additional activities that you could incorporate into your observance of Respect Life Month.

• Scripture study on Psalm 139, the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), the Visitation and Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), or other Scripture passages that highlight the dignity of each person, the gift of human life, and the responsibility to protect human life.
• A prayer service, praying for those present, as well as those who take or disregard human life. (See the “Prayer Service for Forgiveness and Healing” found on the USCCB website).
• A pilgrimage to pray for the protection of human life at local sites (such as churches, chapels, and other Catholic destinations, or places where the dignity of human life is or may be violated, such as abortion facilities, prisons, and hospitals).
• Small group conversations on topics pertaining to respect for human life, such as abortion, capital punishment, or assisted suicide.
• Talk Catholic who specializes in a field relating to respect for human life, such as a doctor who could speak to a Catholic vision of hospice care or a social worker who is knowledgeable in local pregnancy care services.
• A viewing of a movie like “Unplanned” or “A Beautiful Life” or “The Pro-Life Reply to: ‘My Body, My Choice’" (available on Formed.org for free if you are a parishioner) or an audio conversation called “The New Conversation: Changing Hearts & Minds on Abortion” by Stephanie Gray anything by Stephanie Grey, or other age-appropriate film relating to respect for human.
• A service project (on-site or off-site) related to providing care or assistance that supports and welcomes the gift of human life (such as pregnancy care centers).

Please consider praying this prayer during the month of October: O Jesus, You came that we might have life—and have it in abundance. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, You form us in our mothers' wombs and call us to love You for all eternity. As Your most precious gift of human life is attacked, draw us ever closer to Your Real Presence in the Eucharist. Dispel the darkness of the culture of death, for You are the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. By the power of Your Eucharistic Presence, help us to defend the life of every human person at every stage. Transform our hearts to protect and cherish all whose lives are most vulnerable. For You are God, forever and ever. Amen.

God Bless.

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