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RESPETEMOS LA VIDA La edificación de una cultura que valore cada vida humana. Respect Life Month Novena October 13-21, 2023 This Respect Life Month, pray for the protection of human life, from conception to natural death. Each day of the novena features a different pro-life prayer intention, accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. NEW! In the Respect Life Store The 2023 poster, prayer card, and bundle are now available for purchase in the Respect Life Store. Shop the Store NEW! Respect Life Month Downloadable Materials Digital, downloadable materials are available to help you celebrate Respect Life Month in October. The resources focus on our call to "radical solidarity" and include a Respect Life poster, reflection, prayer card, graphics, action guide, and more! View Materials Dobbs Parish Leader Kit The Dobbs Parish Leader Kit is a special edition of the Word of Life that provides resources to help leaders effectively share the Gospel of Life in a post-Roe world. The toolkit contains resources including intercessions for the Prayer of the Faithful, links to prayers and educational resources, online resources, and quotes and graphics for bulletins, newsletters, websites, and social media. View Parish Leader Kit iStock.com/Mongkolchon Akesin PeopleImages/E+ via Getty Images Sign up: Respect Life Prayer and Action When you sign up for Respect Life Prayer and Action, you will receive: prayers action alerts to contact Congress and government leaders ways to strengthen a culture of life in your community and more to help protect the innocent against attacks on human life. Join thousands of Catholics as we seek to transform our culture. Together, we are powerful! Join Now Monthly Prayer Guide Help women in your community choose life . walkingwithmoms.com Más

Respect Life IMAGE GALLERY These graphics can be used in bulletins, newsletters, newspapers and anywhere else that is helpful to you. Each image is available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded directly . If you need files in a different format, please email prolife@usccb.org . RESPECT LIFE MONTH Radical Solidarity Download: ENGLISH SPANISH Respect Life Month RADICAL SOLIDARITY (Theme) Download: ENGLISH SPANISH RADICAL SOLIDARITY (Tagline) Download: ENGLISH SPANISH Anchor 1 RESPECT LIFE Called to Serve Moms in Need Download: ENGLISH SPANISH ST. JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE Download: ENGLISH 2000 x 2000 SPANISH 2000 x 2000 1090 x 690 1140 x 900 1648 x 549 1260 x 500 980 x 1360 PATRIS CORDE Download: ENGLISH SPANISH St. Joseph Patris Corde 9 Days for Life

RESPECT LIFE MONTH RESOURCES PAGE CONTENTS Webinar Novena Poster Prayer Card Reflection Graphics Action Guide Leaders' Toolkits Chairman's Statement Homily Helps Store October Word of Life In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month , and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday . To support these annual observances, the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. ​ The following materials are designed to be brought to life as tools in your hands. These resources may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry. WEBINAR This introductory overview gives easy ideas for celebrating Respect Life Month in your parish in October. USCCB staff walk through the 2023 Respect Life materials, as well as the perennial Respect Life Month Action Guide. WEBINAR RECORDING Webinar Novena RESPECT LIFE MONTH NOVENA October 13-21, 2023 This novena prays for the protection of human life, from conception to natural death. Each day of the novena features a different pro-life prayer intention which is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. SAMPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS DOWNLOAD NOVENA TEXT POSTER This Respect Life poster focuses on our call to radical solidarity with mothers in need and their children, reminding us of our responsibility to put our love for them into action. VIEW & DOWNLOAD ORDER (Available in English and Spanish. If you need a different file format or have any issues, please contact prolife@usccb.org .) Poster PRAYER FOR RADICAL SOLIDARITY This prayer invokes the intercession of our Blessed Mother who exemplified radical solidarity in coming to the aid of her cousin, Elizabeth. It is available as a prayer card featuring an image the Visitation. (Available in English and Spanish.) VIEW DOWNLOAD ORDER Prayer Card REFLECTION Radical Solidarity ​ ​ This short reflection unpacks the theme of radical solidarity, highlighting how Catholics are called to put their love for others into action. The reflection can be used as the basis for a homily or talk, shared in parish bulletins, printed in your diocesan paper, and included in newsletters. It could also be used as the basis for small group discussions at parish pro-life meetings, in a high school religion class, or simply among friends. READ ONLINE VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Available in English and Spanish.) Reflection Graphics GRAPHICS Each image is provided in English and Spanish and can be downloaded directly for use on parish/diocesan websites and in bulletins and newsletters. ( Guidelines ) VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Available in English and Spanish.) Action Guide ACTION GUIDE This action guide includes simple steps, sample announcements, activities, and more to help you celebrate Respect Life Month. You are encouraged to adapt these resources as needed to fit your specific parish, school, or ministry. VIEW ACTION GUIDE (Available in English and Spanish.) LEADER TOOLKITS Use these leader toolkits to help celebrate Respect Life Month in your specific area of ministry. Ideas and suggestions are provided for using the resources in a range of settings. Catholic Education Clergy Faith Formation Media Kit Youth Ministry Leaders' Toolkits CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, invites Catholics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by embracing “radical solidarity” with women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies. VIEW & DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE (Available in English and Spanish.) Chairman's Statement HOMILY HELPS Bullet points help homilists to weave the Gospel of Life into their message in a compelling way and highlight Catholics' call to radical solidarity.​ VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Spanish coming soon!) Homily Helps Store RESPECT LIFE STORE Browse our printed Respect Life materials by topic or resource type. Find resources to help you share the Gospel of Life during Respect Life Month and throughout the year. VISIT STORE OCTOBER WORD OF LIFE Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes that includes special features, intercessions for life, bulletin quotes, bulletin art, and more. The October edition features resources for Respect Life Month. VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Available in English and Spanish.) October Word of Life

LEADER TOOLKIT Clergy This leader toolkit is provided to help clergy build a culture of life in their parishes by integrating Respect Life themes throughout the year. The provided resources, ideas, and activities are only suggestions. We encourage you to adapt them as necessary for your parish community. Feel free to get creative as you build "an authentic civilization of truth and love" (Evangelium vitae, 6). Check out our Action Guides for additional ideas and step-by-step instructions for highlighting Respect Life themes year-round! VIEW POSTER & PRAYER CARD Consider hanging the Respect Life poster in a prominent place in your parish. The poster focuses on our call radical solidarity with mothers and their children. The prayer card features an image of meeting of Mary and Elizabeth at the Visitation and a "Prayer for Radical Solidarity." POSTER PRAYER CARD HOMILY CONSIDERATIONS Respect Life Month Bullet points help homilists to weave the Gospel of Life into their message in a compelling way and highlight Catholics' call to radical solidarity.​ VIEW & DOWNLOAD The Church's Commitment to Mothers in Need ​ These homily considerations are designed to help priests and deacons address the important, sensitive topic of abortion with clarity and authentic compassion that affirms the dignity both of women and of their children. Informed by the research, “Building Catholic Faith and Support for Life” by Heart and Mind Strategies, short bullet points help homilists to weave the Gospel of Life into their message in a compelling way.​ VIEW & DOWNLOAD Healing After Abortion ​ By the age of 45, as many as 1 in 3 women have had an abortion, and a similar number of men and family members have been involved. Because of this, some members of the clergy are hesitant to preach about Respect Life topics, particularly abortion. ​ However, the merciful words of a priest or deacon can be a pivotal moment in the healing process. Many inaccurately believe that abortion is “the unforgivable sin.” They may be longing to hear that God desires to forgive every sin of those who are sorry, even the sin of abortion. VIEW & DOWNLOAD REFLECTION This short reflection unpacks the theme of radical solidarity, highlighting how Catholics are called to put their love for others into action. You can use the reflection to help inspire a homily highlighting Respect Life topics at any time of year. ​The reflection could also be used as the basis for a talk for parishioners or a weekly "Pastor's Corner" in the bulletin. VIEW & DOWNLOAD INTERCESSIONS Prayer is the basis of all our efforts to build a culture of life. The provided intercessions are appropriate for use during Mass in the Prayer of the Faithful. Several of these intentions can be used throughout the year. ​ These intercessions could also be included in lists of prayer intentions published in the bulletin. Or, if you have a regular Holy Hour or parish Rosary, consider including them among the opening or closing prayers. "...in our daily prayer as individuals and as a community, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in our mother's womb..." Evangelium vitae, 84 That the life of every person, from conception to natural death, will be protected in our laws and cherished in our hearts; We pray to the Lord: ​ For women and men suffering after abortion: May the Church’s abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel, help them find peace and healing through Christ’s endless mercy; We pray to the Lord: For those nearing the end of life: May they receive care that respects their dignity and protects their lives as they place their hope in the promise of eternal life; We pray to the Lord: May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect His gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and in health; We pray to the Lord: Looking for more intercessions to use in your parish year-round? Check out our series of Action Guides , which each include additional intercessions that are connected to annual observances and liturgical feasts. You can also subscribe to our monthly parish liturgical resource, Word of Life . ACTION GUIDES WORD OF LIFE BULLETIN BOXES Bulletin boxes are summaries of longer articles that are perfect for including in your weekly parish bulletin or other regular newsletters. They are perfect for use when space is at a premium! (Each bulletin box also includes a web address for those who would like to read the full article.) ​ Consider featuring a different bulletin box in the bulletin each month. You can also mention the Respect Life topic highlighted in the bulletin during your homily. These article summaries cover a wide range of Respect Life topics, and many are pastorally focused. ​ The bulletin boxes are available in English and Spanish. VIEW & DOWNLOAD GRAPHICS These and many other graphics are available for use throughout your parish. Feature them in bulletins, newsletters, monitor displays, and more! VIEW ALL Models used for illustrative purposes only. Photos courtesy of Wix.com. Excerpts from Evangelium vitae © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

2023- 2024 RESPECT LIFE MATERIALS The 2023-2024 Respect Life resources focus on our call to radical solidarity . The materials seek to inspire Catholics to put their love for others into action by protecting, supporting, and accompanying mothers and their children. Together, we can help build a true culture of life and civilization of love. To help live out the call to radical solidarity, Catholics are invited to join Walking with Moms in Need . Through this process, Catholic parishes and communities “walk in the shoes" of local pregnant and parenting women to better understand, support, and respond to their needs. LEARN MORE POSTER This Respect Life poster focuses on our call to radical solidarity with mothers in need and their children, reminding us of our responsibility to put our love for them into action. VIEW & DOWNLOAD ORDER (Available in English and Spanish.) If you need a different file format or have any issues, please contact prolife@usccb.org . PRAYER FOR RADICAL SOLIDARITY This prayer invokes the intercession of our Blessed Mother who exemplified radical solidarity in coming to the aid of her cousin, Elizabeth. It is available as a prayer card featuring an image the Visitation. ​ View as webpage. VIEW & DOWNLOAD ORDER (Available in English and Spanish.) CHAIRMAN STATEMENT Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, invites Catholics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by embracing “radical solidarity” with women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies. VIEW & DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE (Available in English and Spanish.) REFLECTION Radical Solidarity ​ ​ This short reflection unpacks the theme of radical solidarity, highlighting how Catholics are called to put their love for others into action. The reflection can be used as the basis for a homily or talk, shared in parish bulletins, printed in your diocesan paper, and included in newsletters. It could also be used as the basis for small group discussions at parish pro-life meetings, in a high school religion class, or simply among friends. READ ONLINE VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Available in English and Spanish.) RESPECT LIFE MONTH NOVENA October 13-21 This novena prays for the protection of human life, from conception to natural death. Each day of the novena features a different pro-life prayer intention which is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. SAMPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS HOMILY HELPS Short bullet points help homilists to weave the Gospel of Life into their message in a compelling way and highlight Catholics' call to radical solidarity.​ VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Spanish coming soon!) GRAPHICS Each image is provided in English and Spanish and can be downloaded directly for use on parish/diocesan websites, in bulletins and newsletters, or in any other way that may be helpful to you in sharing the Gospel of life. VIEW & DOWNLOAD (Available in English and Spanish.) WALKING WITH MOMS IN NEED Walking with Moms in Need is a parish-based, yet nationwide, initiative to better serve pregnant and parenting mothers facing difficulties. ​ During the process, parishes are asked to inventory the resources and services available in their local community; assess the results of that inventory and identify gaps; and plan and implement a parish response based on their findings and assessment. While WWMIN is not about turning parishes into pregnancy centers, it is about enhancing referrals and building relationships with helping agencies. It is designed to help parishes integrate, improve, and—when needed—expand existing local resources to better serve mothers in their local area. LEARN MORE

LEADER TOOLKIT Faith Formation This leader toolkit is provided to help catechists build a culture of life throughout the year, whenever Respect Life themes best fit into your faith formation curriculum. The provided resources, ideas, and activities are only suggestions. We encourage you to adapt them as necessary for your faith formation program. Feel free to get creative as you build "an authentic civilization of truth and love" ( Evangelium vitae , 6) among the children of your parish. Check out our Action Guides for additional ideas and step-by-step instructions for highlighting Respect Life themes year-round! ACTION GUIDES POSTER & PRAYER CARD Consider hanging the Respect Life poster in your classroom or meeting space and using it to introduce the Church's teaching on the dignity of the human person. T his Respect Life poster focuses on our call to radical solidarity with mothers in need and their children, reminding us of our responsibility to put our love for them into action. ​ Incorporate the Prayer for Radical Solidarity into your class prayers and send a copy home with students. POSTER PRAYER CARD REFLECTION The Respect Life reflection unpacks this year's theme, "Christ Our Hope: In Every Season of Life. " You can use the reflection to help inspire a lesson introducing Respect Life Month—when you hang the poster—or to highlight Respect Life topics throughout the year. ​ The reflection could also be read aloud as a class to open a larger discussion. For example, older students could be asked to reflect on what they read and share about God's presence during a challenging season of their own life. Younger students might be asked to think of a time they were nervous or afraid but felt God was protecting them, and share it with the class. ​ View and download the reflection as a PDF or Word document. VIEW DOWNLOAD INTERCESSIONS Prayer is the basis of all our efforts to build a culture of life. The provided intercessions are appropriate for use during Mass in the Prayer of the Faithful, but they can also be used in various other ways. ​ Consider incorporating one or more of the intercessions into your prayer time during class, and invite students to add their own prayer intentions related to the sanctity of human life. You could also send home one or more of the intercessions and encourage families to pray for them together at home. ​ "...in our daily prayer as individuals and as a community, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in our mother's womb..." Evangelium vitae, 84 That the life of every person, from conception to natural death, will be protected in our laws and cherished in our hearts; We pray to the Lord: For women and men suffering after abortion: May the Church’s abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel, help them find peace and healing through Christ’s endless mercy; We pray to the Lord: For those nearing the end of life: May they receive care that respects their dignity and protects their lives as they place their hope in the promise of eternal life; We pray to the Lord: May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect His gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and in health; We pray to the Lord: Looking for more intercessions to incorporate in your classroom year-round? Check out our series of Action Guides , which each include additional intercessions that are connected to annual observances and liturgical feasts. You can also subscribe to our monthly parish liturgical resource, Word of Life . ACTION GUIDES WORD OF LIFE VIEW & DOWNLOAD Blank poster template with instructions available as PDF in English and Spanish. SAMPLE ACTIVITY This activity invites students to create their own poster to help them connect Respect Life themes with their own lives. Each student receives a poster template with an empty bulletin board. They are then instructed to fill the bulletin board with images and/or words that represent respect for life from the beginning of life to its end. For younger students, they can be asked to color, draw pictures, or write about what reminds them of God's presence in their lives. Older students can be asked to bring in items and photos that represent respect for life and attach them to their bulletin board. You could also bring in an old stack of magazines and have students cut out words and photos. They can also write their own prayer intentions on their bulletin board. *This activity can also be completed as a group. Check out our October Action Guide for instructions for a parish setting, and adapt it for your classroom. ​ VIEW & DOWNLOAD Blank poster template with instructions available as PDF in English and Spanish. ARTICLES Find the list of titles under the "Articles" tab in the menu at the top of this page. Our library of Respect Life articles are especially helpful as educational tools for higher grade levels, adult faith formation, or RCIA classes. Each article is available to read online or to print as a handout. Many are also available to order as pamphlets. The articles can be used to integrate Catholic moral teaching into a variety of catechetical topics. VISIT STORE

LEADER TOOLKIT Catholic Education This leader toolkit is provided to help Catholic educators build a culture of life in their classrooms throughout the year, whenever Respect Life themes best fit into their curricula. The provided resources, ideas, and activities are only suggestions. We encourage teachers to adapt them as necessary to an age-appropriate level. Feel free to get creative as you build "an authentic civilization of truth and love" (Evangelium vitae , 6) in your classroom! ACTION GUIDES Check out our Action Guides for additional ideas and step-by-step instructions for highlighting Respect Life themes year-round! POSTER & PRAYER CARD Consider hanging the Respect Life poster in your classroom or school and use it to introduce the Church's teaching on the dignity of the human person and our call as Catholics to serve mothers in need. ​ Incorporate the Prayer for Radical Solidarity in your daily classroom prayers and send a copy home with students to pray with their families. ORDER VIEW & DOWNLOAD SAMPLE ACTIVITY This activity invites students to create their own Respect Life poster to help them reflect on Respect Life themes. Each student receives a poster template with an empty bulletin board. They are then instructed to fill the bulletin board with images and/or words that represent respect for life from the beginning of life to its end. For younger students, they can be asked to color, draw pictures, or write about what reminds them of God’s presence in every season of life. Older students can be asked to bring in items and photos that represent Respect Life themes and attach them to their bulletin board. Or, bring in an old stack of magazines and have students cut out words and photos. They can also write their own prayer intentions on their bulletin board. *This activity can also be completed as a group. Check out our Respect Life Month Action Guide for instructions for a parish setting, and adapt it for use in your classroom or school any time of year. VIEW & DOWNLOAD Blank poster template with instructions available as PDF in English and Spanish. GRAPHICS Graphics are available in a number of formats and sizes. Use them on student worksheets, in presentations (for students, parents or teachers), and flyers for Respect Life school events. ​ Check out our full image gallery to view and download. IMAGE GALLERY REFLECTION This short reflection unpacks the theme of radical solidarity, highlighting how Catholics are called to put their love for others into action. You can use the reflection to help inspire a lesson introducing Respect Life topics throughout the year. ​ The reflection could also be read aloud as a class to open a larger discussion. Or, it could also be used as a writing prompt. For example, older students could be asked to reflect on what they read and respond with a short essay on ways the school could serve and support mothers and their children. Younger students might be asked to think about what a new mom might need when she has a baby and ways others could help her, and share it with the class. ​ View and download the reflection as a PDF or Word document. VIEW DOWNLOAD INTERCESSIONS Prayer is the basis of all our efforts to build a culture of life. The provided intercessions are appropriate for use during Mass in the Prayer of the Faithful. Consider using them during a Respect Life Mass with your school community. ​ If you open your classes in prayer, incorporate one or more of the intercessions, and invite students to add their own prayer intentions related to the sanctity of human life. Perhaps you could send home weekly or monthly prayer intentions for families to pray for at home. Select one of the following intercessions and encourage students to pray for the intention with their parents. "...in our daily prayer as individuals and as a community, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in our mother's womb..." Evangelium vitae, 84 That the life of every person, from conception to natural death, will be protected in our laws and cherished in our hearts; We pray to the Lord: For women and men suffering after abortion: May the Church’s abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel, help them find peace and healing through Christ’s endless mercy; We pray to the Lord: For those nearing the end of life: May they receive care that respects their dignity and protects their lives as they place their hope in the promise of eternal life; We pray to the Lord: May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect His gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and in health; We pray to the Lord: Looking for more intercessions to incorporate in your classroom year-round? Check out our series of action guides , which each include additional intercessions that are connected to annual observances and liturgical feasts. ACTION GUIDES ARTICLES Find the list of titles under the "Articles" tab in the menu at the top of the page. Our library of Respect Life articles are especially helpful as educational tools for higher grade levels. The articles can be used to integrate Catholic moral teaching into a variety of academic topics: religion, social studies, science, health, etc. Each article is available to read online or to print as a handout. Many are also available to order as pamphlets. VISIT STORE Models used for illustrative purposes only. Photos courtesy of Wix.com. Excerpts from Evangelium vitae © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

MEDIA KIT GRAPHICS These and many other graphics are available for you to use. For assistance, please email prolife@usccb.org . VIEW ALL REFLECTION This short reflection unpacks the theme of radical solidarity, highlighting how Catholics are called to put their love for others into action. READ DOWNLOAD (Available in both English and Spanish) CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, invites Catholics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by embracing “radical solidarity” with women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies. VIEW & DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE

Novena por la Vida para honrar la Fiesta de la Visitación Novena por la Vida para honrar la Fiesta de la Visitación ENGLISH Primer Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,35-37): El Ángel le respondió [a María]: “El Espíritu Santo descenderá sobre ti y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra. Por eso el niño será Santo y será llamado Hijo de Dios. También tu parienta Isabel concibió un hijo a pesar de su vejez, y la que era considerada estéril, ya se encuentra en su sexto mes, porque no hay nada imposible para Dios”. Versículo: Proclama mi alma la grandeza del Señor, —y mi espíritu se alegra en Dios mi Salvador, ​ Oración: Oh Dios, nada es imposible para Ti. Envía tu Espíritu Santo sobre nosotros, que el poder del Altísimo nos cubra. Concédenos la gracia de la evangelización y la conversión, para que todos puedan conocer la santidad de la vida humana. Concédenos esto por tu hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que reina eternamente contigo, pero nació de una mujer. Amén . ​ Segundo Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,38-40): María dijo entonces: “Yo soy la servidora del Señor, que se cumpla en mí lo que has dicho”. Y el Ángel se alejó. En aquellos días, María partió y fue sin demora a un pueblo de la montaña de Judá. Entró en la casa de Zacarías y saludó a Isabel. Versículo: Porque se fijó en su humilde esclava, —y desde ahora todas las generaciones me llamarán feliz. ​ Oración: Señor Jesucristo: Tu madre obedeció la voluntad divina entre el temblor y el sobrecogimiento. Mediante su intercesión, Te pedimos, que consideres con generosidad a todas las mujeres embarazadas. Que todas las dificultades que ahora atraviesan cedan en el gozo de la nueva vida. Porque vives y reinas con el Padre y el Espíritu Santo, un Dios, por siempre. Amen. Tercer Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,41-42): Apenas [Isabel] oyó el saludo de María, el niño saltó de alegría en su seno, e Isabel, llena del Espíritu Santo, exclamó: “¡Tú eres bendita entre todas las mujeres y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre!” ​ Versículo: El Poderoso ha hecho grandes cosas por mí: —¡Santo es Su Nombre! ​ Oración: Acércate, te rogamos, oh Señor, a los que están considerando el aborto. Así como Juan dio saltos en el vientre de su madre cuando Te acercaste, que las mujeres que luchan, y los niños que llevan, sientan Tu presencia. Llénalos de Tu Espíritu Santo, que ellos también puedan llorar de alegría ante Tu venida. Tú, que vives y reinas por siempre. Amén . ​ Cuarto Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,43-44): [Isabel le dijo a María:] “¿Quién soy yo, para que la madre de mi Señor venga a visitarme? Apenas oí tu saludo, el niño saltó de alegría en mi seno”. ​ Versículo: Muestra su misericordia siglo tras siglo —a todos aquellos que viven en Su presencia. ​ Oración: Tu misericordia, oh Señor, se extiende a la milésima generación. Por medio de la intercesión de Tu Madre, que los que han realizado un aborto, puedan conocer Tu compasión, y reciban Tu misericordia y amor. Porque vives y reinas por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. ​ Quinto Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,45.56): [Isabel le dijo a María:] “Feliz de ti por haber creído que se cumplirá lo que te fue anunciado de parte del Señor”... María permaneció con Isabel unos tres meses y luego regresó a su casa. ​ Versículo: Dio un golpe con todo Su poder: —deshizo a los soberbios y sus planes. ​ Oración: Padre, nos conoces incluso desde antes de que fuéramos formados en el vientre de nuestra madre. Que se cumplan Tus planes para todos los niños no nacidos, y que tengamos la gracia de ser obedientes a Tu Palabra. Otórganos esto por Tu hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Amén . ​ Sexto Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,57-58): Cuando llegó el tiempo en que Isabel debía ser madre, dio a luz un hijo. Al enterarse sus vecinos y parientes de la gran misericordia con que Dios la había tratado, se alegraban con ella. ​ Versículo: Derribó a los poderosos de sus tronos, —y exaltó a los humildes. ​ Oración: Oh Dios, toda vida es Tu don de amor. Que en el gozo que trae el nacimiento de un niño, podamos reconocer Tu gran misericordia, y así podamos conocer el amor que tienes por todas las personas. Lo pedimos por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amé n. ​ Séptimo Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,59-60): A los ocho días, se reunieron para circuncidar al niño, y querían llamarlo Zacarías, como su padre; pero la madre dijo: “No, debe llamarse Juan”. ​ Versículo: Colmó de bienes a los hambrientos —y despidió a los ricos con las manos vacías. ​ Oración: Señor Jesucristo: te rogamos que envíes Tu Espíritu Santo sobre todos los padres. Que el nacimiento de su hijo pueda animar sus corazones. Que, por el sacramento del Bautismo puedan renovar su compromiso de fe en Ti, que vives y reinas por siempre. Amén. ​ Octavo Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,62-64): Entonces preguntaron por señas al padre qué nombre quería que le pusieran. Este pidió una pizarra y escribió: “Su nombre es Juan”. Todos quedaron admirados. Y en ese mismo momento, Zacarías recuperó el habla y comenzó a alabar a Dios. ​ Versículo: Socorrió a Israel, Su siervo, se acordó de Su misericordia, —como lo había prometido a nuestros padres, a Abraham y a sus descendientes para siempre. ​ Oración: Padre, Concédenos que todos los hombres encuentren en Ti la fuente y el modelo de paternidad. Que aspiren a conocer Tu voluntad para sus hijos, y vivan con rectitud y verdad. Concédeles la gracia de ser hombres virtuosos, y la recompensa de los hijos fieles a Ti. Por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén. ​ Noveno Día ​ Lectura (Lucas 1,66): Todos los que se enteraron guardaban este recuerdo en su corazón y se decían: “¿Qué llegará a ser este niño?”. Porque la mano del Señor estaba con él. ​ Versículo: Proclama mi alma la grandeza del Señor, —porque se fijó en Su humilde esclava. ​ Oración: Señor, con tanta frecuencia no podemos reconocer Tu obra en las vidas de otros, Permítenos que, como los parientes de Juan, veamos Tu obrar en todo, y que, libres de la envidia, podamos darte gloria. Porque vives y reinas por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. Los extractos de la Sagrada Escritura fueron tomados de La Biblia. Libro del Pueblo de Dios. © 2009 Editorial Verbo Divino. Se utilizan con permiso. Se reservan todos los derechos. Copyright © 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. Se reservan todos los derechos. Día 1 Día 2 Día 3 Día 4 Día 5 Día 6 Día 7 Día 8 Día 9

Novena to St. Joseph: For Those on the Path of Adoption MARCH 11-19, 2023 EMAIL TEXT MESSAGE SUSCRÍBETE EN ESPAÑOL Artwork: Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, we pray for all whose life stories include adoption. Each day includes short Scriptural passages and prayers and focuses on a different group of people who are involved in the adoption process. Participants can download the novena or sign up to receive the daily prayers via email or text message. ​ Resources are available to promote and share the novena in your parish, school, or ministry. NOVENA RESOURCES email

Resources 9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. Resources for leaders are available below, including novena printables, graphics, sample announcements, and more. NOVENA The 9 Days for Life novena is available as daily formatted printables or as text-only files. Printed versions are great for use in parishes, schools, and other ministries to pray the novena together as a community. ​ You can also access each day's content as individual webpages . English Spanish Novena GRAPHICS Graphics are available for use in bulletins, newsletters, social media, diocesan newspapers, etc. These promotional and daily intention graphics can be used without further permission, provided that these reproduction guidelines are followed. View All in Image Gallery FLYERS Use these 9 Days for Life flyers to promote the novena in your parish, school, or ministry. These are great for use in bulletins and newsletters. Flyer 1 Available in both full and half page sizes. View All Versions Flyer 2 Features the daily intention graphics. Download Graphics Flyer BULLETIN AND PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Suggested Weekends: January 7-8 & 14-15, 2023 Bulletin Announcements Option 1 Join thousands of Catholics nationwide in the annual Respect Life novena, 9 Days for Life , Thursday, January 19 – Friday, January 27. Get daily intentions, brief reflections, and more. Sign up at 9daysforlife.com ! ​ Option 2 Join thousands of Catholics nationwide praying the annual 9 Days for Life novena, January 19-27. Sign up today at 9daysforlife.com ! Pulpit Announcements Option 1 You’re invited to join thousands of Catholics nationwide in prayer for the respect of human life during a special novena called 9 Days for Life . Visit 9daysforlife.com to sign up to receive daily intentions from January 19th through the 27th. ​ Option 2 You’re invited to join Catholics nationwide in praying for the respect of human life. The annual 9 Days for Life novena will take place from January 19th through the 27th. See the bulletin for more information. ​ Option 3 Join Catholics nationwide in a special Respect Life novena called 9 Days for Life from January 19th through the 27th. Please see the bulletin for more information. Announcements PRESS KIT The 9 Days for Life press kit can be shared with local media outlets, communication directors, reporters and more to help get the word out about the novena. View Press Kit MORE View and Download For more ideas and activities for building a culture of life and observing the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children and the anniversary of Roe v. Wade , check out our January Action Guide . Additional resources include sample intercessions, homily helps, and more.

¡Reza por la protección de la vida humana! 19 al 27 de enero de 2023 Recibe correo electrónico Recibe mensajes de texto Subscribe in English 9 Días por la Vida es una novena por la protección de la vida humana. La intención de cada día va acompañada de una breve reflexión y una sugerencia para la acción que ayuden a construir la cultura de la vida. ​ Los participantes pueden bajar la novena o inscribirse para recibir las oraciones diarias por correo electrónico o mensaje de texto. ​ ¡Los recursos están disponibles para promover y compartir la novena en sus parroquias, escuelas o ministerios! (Este sitio digital está en inglés, pero los materiales están disponibles en inglés y en español.) NOVENA RECURSOS email