Intercession

May parents considering or actively pursuing foster care or adoption, be strengthened by the grace of God in embracing this loving option for life.

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

It is challenging for a mother, having brought her child to birth, to let that child go to someone else’s home. There can be feelings of sadness, or even guilt. But parents who choose adoption often exemplify the sacrificial love of Jesus, putting the needs of their child first, even at great cost to themselves. We also consider those parents who, through their generosity of spirit are ready to embrace new life through adoption or foster care.

Today let us reflect on Saint Joseph: his example shows us that this type of bond is not an afterthought, but is among the highest forms of love and of parenthood.

How many children in the world are waiting for someone to take care of them! And how many married couples want to be fathers and mothers but are unable to do so for biological reasons; or, although they already have children, they want to share their family’s affection with those who do not have it. We should not be afraid to choose the path of adoption or foster care.

We pray that each expectant mother choosing foster care or adoption will be filled with “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7) as she makes a loving choice for her child. Let us all cling fast to the anchor of hope, for we have received “a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Rom 8:15).

Act of Reparation

• Take two minutes to say this short Prayer for Life, that God will awaken in every heart new reverence for the gift of life.

Gospel Reflection

In our Gospel we meet the blind beggar, Bartimaeus who was cured of his blindness by Jesus. Bartimaeus was in darkness and had the courage to shout for healing so as to be able to see. We pray that expectant mothers who are considering the adoption of their child may have the courage to see their pregnancy to full term and that they be supported in affording adoptive parents the privilege of rearing a child. (Mark 10: 46-52)
Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore – Ireland

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Day seven – Civic Leaders

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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.

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