Day 2 - Unborn Children

Intercession

May all unborn children be protected in law and welcomed in love.

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

Today, we mourn the many babies whose lives have been ended by abortion and remember in prayer those who suffer the aftermath. We pray that children in their mothers’ wombs would again be protected in law, and we offer penance in reparation for abortions that have been committed in our world.

In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), Pope John Paul II said, “may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer” (EV 100). May that prayer arise in our hearts today and each day forward until every human being is protected in law and welcomed in love.

Acts of Reparation (Choose one)

• Read these two short excerpts from Evangelium Vitae either in private prayer today, or with your family or faith group or parish. Offer this brief Prayer for Life for all unborn children whose lives are at risk.

One Step Further

Familiarise yourself with the legal status of the right to life of the unborn child in your jurisdiction. In recent years, both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, decisions have removed significant protections which safeguarded the unborn child’s right to life. Why not consider respectfully writing to your political representatives to express a desire for change in this area, asking that they work to bring about laws that protect and respect the unborn child so that they can be welcomed in love into our world.

Quick and Easy:

Share a story from Every Life Counts’ or One Day More website to change hearts from your laptop:

1. Go to https://www.everylifecounts.ie/, or https://www.onedaymore.ie/,
2. Browse the moving stories on their website,
3. Pick one that moves you, and copy the link.
4. Post it online with a note like, “These stories show why every life matters — take a look.”

It’s a simple click that could shift someone’s perspective.

More Involved:

1. Join in raising awareness of one or both of these groups by writing a letter for the Letters page of your local newspaper.
2. Visit Every Life Counts or One Day More website and check for current campaigns or mission statements for ideas, e.g. “Dear Editor, I want to shine a light on Every Life Counts [One Day More], an amazing group helping families whose babies have life-limiting conditions. They offer support and hope, showing parents they’re not alone. Too many don’t know this help exists—spreading the word can save lives and heal hearts. Visit everylifecounts.ie to learn more.”
3. Visit the website of your local newpaper to find the letter email – or give them a quick to ask.
4. Send your email – it’s a 10-minute task that could reach thousands and change the lives of many!

Evangelium Vitae translated in English to “The Gospel of Life”. This is a papal encyclical promulgated on 25 March 1995 by Pope John Paul II. It deals with issues pertaining to the sanctity of human life.