Day 4 - Unborn Children

Intercession

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

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

On this blessed Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we contemplate the mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – a unity of love and communion. We recognise that the family is called to be a reflection of that community of love within the Trinity.

In Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), Pope John Paul II says that “within the people of life and the people for life, the family has a decisive responsibility. This responsibility flows from its very nature as a community of life and love. The family is truly ‘the sanctuary of life: the place in which life – the gift of God – can be properly welcomed and protected. Consequently the role of the family in building a culture of life is decisive and irreplaceable.” (EV 92) He asked that “a great prayer for life rise up throughout the world, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer, an impassioned plea to God, the Creator and lover of life.”

As we mourn the many babies whose lives have been ended by abortion and remember those who suffer the aftermath, may that prayer arise in our hearts and in our families today and every day, until every human person is again protected in law and welcomed in love.

May the unity and love of the Holy Trinity inspire us to create families and communities where all life is welcomed, cherished, and protected.

Acts of Reparation (Choose one)

• Take time alone or with your family to read one or two paragraphs from Pope St John Paul’s Gospel of Life
  e.g. paragraph 92 and 93.
• Offer this brief Prayer for Life for all unborn children whose lives are at risk.
• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

• Familiarise yourself with the legal status of the right to life of the unborn child in your jurisdiction. Both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, decisions in recent years have removed significant protections which safeguarded the right to life of the unborn child.
• Consider writing to your political representatives today 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.
• Consider giving some time to organisations that provide life-affirming supports and services to expectant mothers in your community. Here are some examples of organisations working in Ireland offering a variety supports and services.
• Gianna Care
• Community Connect
• Stanton HealthCare Belfast
• Life
• Rachel’s Vineyard
• Every Life Counts
• One Day More

Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life”) 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.