October is observed as Respect Life month for Catholics across the nation and the world. The main focus of the observance is to remember that from conception to natural death, each person has an inherent right to life and dignity. Human life is sacred and inviolable, deserving utter respect in all cases. Every one of us is entitled to a dignified way of living, protected from violence and oppression.
“All life has inestimable value - even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.” – Pope Francis
For the month of October, let us pray for all who are facing serious life crisis, particularly immigrants, refugees and their children, the elderly and the sick, those in displaced conditions and those recovering from calamities and catastrophe. Let us all fervently pray that they find solace in the most difficult situations. Let us also pray that every citizen of our nation learn how to respect, value and care for one another despite our differences.
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
― Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (1995)
From: Catholic Charities web sites and USCCB.org
