Intercession

May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance.

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”. Every one of us has a right to our life. It is not given to us by any law or government. We have it ‘as of right’, whether we are wealthy or poor, healthy or sick.

The decision of our society that one category of human being should have that right taken from them is truly shocking.  It effectively says that unborn children do not exist or, if they do, they do not count. This is a manifest injustice: any law that removes the right to life is an unjust law and must be resisted by every person, every voter, every political representative.

Those who work as public officials and civic leaders have a duty to serve the common good, and therefore have a profound obligation to safeguard this most fundamental right to life. For Catholic politicians this is not only a matter of protecting the human right to life but also a fundamental matter of our faith. Our faith informs our conscience and we don’t leave conscience outside the door when we go to work as legislators.

Voters have a duty to inform themselves on the position of election candidates in respect of their willingness to support and cherish equally the lives of mothers and their unborn children. Through our own prayer, witness, and civic participation, we can encourage our leaders to truly answer their call to protect the rights of all people. For “there can be no true democracy without a recognition of every person’s dignity and without respect for his or her rights” (Evangelium Vitae 101).

Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)

• Sacrifice some of your free time to do a small act of service, such as making breakfast for a family member, helping out a coworker, or praying for the intentions of a friend.
• Offer this Prayer for Religious Freedom, that Christians may always be free to respect, protect, and defend human life and would have the courage to do so
• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

Gospel Reflection

In clearing the Temple of pigeon sellers and money changers, Jesus was upsetting a corrupt system of merchandising that was taking advantage of those who were genuinely coming to pray. We pray that for our civic leaders that they may may be alert to corrupt vested interests that promote abortion and euthanasia. Instead, may they legislate sincerely in accord with the sacredness of human life at all stages from conception to the end of natural life. (Mark 11: 11-26)
Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore – Ireland

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Day eight – For all who support or participate in abortion

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Intercessions and Reflections provided by Pray for Life

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The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

The Hail Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father

Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning
is now, and ever shall be
world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Religious Freedom

Lord,
We ask for the grace to be your witnesses of compassion and love in the public square. May the light of the Gospel and the joyful truth of the faith always be permitted to influence public debate, helping us to work for the common good and increasing our understanding of the unique dignity and beauty of every human person.

May we draw on faith and reason in all our interactions with others to present a coherent ethic of life where each new life is received as a precious gift from God. Grant that the right to freedom of religion and conscience is respected and that we will work together in an atmosphere of mutual understanding to build a society that values and affirms the goodness of every human life.

Amen.

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