Idirghuí
Go dtuga aithreacha tacaíocht go grámhar do mháithreacha atá ag súil lena bpáistí le fáilte a chur roimh an mbeatha nua.
Paidreacha
Ár nAthair, 3 Sé do bheatha, a Mhuire, Glóir Don Athair
Machnamh
Tá a bhunús ag an Atharthacht i nDia, a roghnaigh é féin a nochtadh dúinn mar Ár nAthair, ag seoladh a aon Mhic ar mhaithe lenár slánú. Dá bhrí sin, tá ról speisialta ag aithreacha"in Atharthacht Dé a nochtadh agus a thabhairt chun cuimhne ar domhan" (Familiaris consortio 25). Iarrtar ar aithreacha "freagracht fhlaithiúil a thaispeáint as an mbeatha a ghiniúint faoi chroí na máthar" (FC 25). Cuirtear de chúram uathúil orthu máthair agus leanbh a chosaint agus, ar an mbealach seo, beannaitheacht bheatha an duine a chosaint.Familiaris consortio 25). Fathers are called to exhibit “generous responsibility for the life conceived under the heart of the mother” (FC 25). They are uniquely entrusted with the protection and defence of both mother and child and, in this way, in safeguarding the sanctity of human life.
As evidenced in our world today, the role of the father “is of unique and irreplaceable importance” (FC 25). Often a woman ends up choosing abortion because she does not have the support of the child’s father, or — even worse — the father of the child pressures her to make the decision to abort. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge with compassion that men can also be overwhelmed by an unexpected pregnancy and that society increasingly tells them that they should have no say in their children’s lives. In the face of these false messages, we pray that expectant fathers will find courage in the example of Saint Joseph — who embraced the role of father amid difficult circumstances — and offer loving, life-affirming support to the mothers of their children.
