This year marks the 30th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), the comprehensive and beautiful encyclical of Saint Pope John Paul II. Published on March 25, 1995, this document remains one of the most significant contributions to the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life. Three decades later, its message is more vital than ever.
In Evangelium Vitae, Saint John Paul II boldly confronted the spread of “culture of death” in the modern world—a culture marked by the erosion of the dignity of every human person. In his encyclical he offers, in contrast, a vision for a “culture of life,” rooted in the Gospel and reaffirming the inviolable dignity of every human person, from conception to natural death.
Evangelium Vitae is a call to action. It challenges us, the faithful, to be witnesses to life in our homes, parishes, and communities. It reminds us that every human being is created in the image of God, and deserves to be welcomed, protected and cherished. It reminds us that mothers are left wounded by abortion and deserve our support, help and compassion.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, it is worthwhile to reflect on the message of hope offered by Evangelium Vitae; a call for a renewal of respect for life and a transformation of society through the redemptive message of the Gospel. Saint John Paul II’s words echo with truth and tenderness:
It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop. A society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized. Only respect for life can be the foundation and guarantee of the most precious and essential goods of society, such as democracy and peace.
EV (1995), no. 101
These words continue to inspire us to speak for the voiceless, serve the vulnerable, and uphold the dignity of all people.
As we commemorate this 30th anniversary, may we renew our commitment to building a culture of life. Let us give thanks for the courage and clarity of Saint John Paul II, and let us carry forward his vision with faith, hope, and love.
Prayer for Life by St John Paul II
(from Evangelium Vitae)
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.
