The right to life is a demand of justice. From the moment of conception, a human being has a God given right to life no matter the attitude of his mother or father or the state.
Pope Francis said, “All too often, as we know from experience, people do not choose life, they do not accept the ‘Gospel of Life’ but let themselves be led by ideologies and ways of thinking that block life, that do not respect life, because they are dictated by selfishness, self-interest, profit, power and pleasure, and not by love, by concern for the good of others.”
This liturgy for life and justice calls for the wearing of purple vestments: purple, the color of grief and prayerful penance. We grieve and do penance for the grave injustice of abortion occurring every minute of every day in this country and around the world. We do penance for those who willingly cooperate in this grave evil. And we commit ourselves to praying and working for authentic justice for the unborn.
Pope Francis, speaking of the defense of life said, “Defend the Unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you.” For, “The right to life” he wrote, “is the first human right. Abortion is killing someone that cannot defend him or herself.”
The Holy Father was effectively echoing the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes, which declared, “God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.”
With the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in this last year, legal protection for the unborn is needed on the level of the state. But moreover, in human hearts. The attitudes and errors which celebrate abortion require conversion, for the sake of their souls. For a soul which justifies the murder of the innocent is in terrible danger, and puts others in danger.
We pray that the truth of the Gospel of Life will take root in the hearts of every member of the human family, that it will dispel all darkness, and all hardness toward innocent human life—all unwillingness to respect life.
May every life be cherished and held sacred for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the leaders and members of the Church may fulfill with joy their calling to proclaim, celebrate, and serve the Gospel of Life.
That the Church, the People of Life, may bear joyful witness that each human life comes from God, belongs to God, and is meant to return to God.
That Court decisions which permit the destruction of innocent life may be resisted and ultimately reversed, we pray to the Lord…
That God may protect all unborn babies, and keep them safe from the scourge of abortion, we pray to the Lord...
In thanksgiving for the many children who have been saved from abortion through the efforts of the pro-life movement, we pray to the Lord…
That all medical professionals involved in the practices of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia, may experience conversion of mind and heart and cease these activities, we pray to the Lord…
For all women who have had abortions, that they may seek out and experience God’s tender mercy, we pray to the Lord.
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