9 Days for Life: Day Five: Today's Intention: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope and healing in Christ.

9 days for life. When God fashioned the human person in His own image and likeness, He destined us for eternal life with Him. Yet because of the sin of our first parents, death entered the world. The book of Genesis recounts the first occasion in which a person takes the life of another, as Cain violently kills his brother Abel. This instance of brother rising up against brother “at the very dawn of history is thus a sad witness of how evil spreads with amazing speed” (Evangelium vitae 8).

9 Days for Life is a publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. Music from https://filmmusic.io “Winter” by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Table of Contents

9 Days for Life

Today’s Intention: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope and healing in Christ.

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

When God fashioned the human person in His own image and likeness, He destined us for eternal life with Him. Yet because of the sin of our first parents, death entered the world. The book of Genesis recounts the first occasion in which a person takes the life of another, as Cain violently kills his brother Abel. This instance of brother rising up against brother “at the very dawn of history is thus a sad witness of how evil spreads with amazing speed” (Evangelium vitae 8).

From the time of creation, disregard for human life has continued to spread. When we, like Cain, allow sin to find a place in our hearts, we become blinded to the truth. Sometimes this blindness might be so deep that we fail to recognize the undeniable humanity of unborn children. We may even tragically believe the lie that abortion is an act of compassion. But we know that “life, especially human life, belongs only to God: for this reason whoever attacks human life, in some way attacks God himself” (EV 9). Let us pray that all who support abortion will encounter the transforming love of the Father and, with repentant hearts, seek His mercy.

Acts of Reparation

(Choose one.)

Smile. Ask God today for the grace to be extra joyful and to share the light of Christ with those most in need of His love and mercy.

Make an act of faith, hope, or love.

Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life) was written to reaffirm the value and inviolability of every human life and to appeal to all people to respect, protect, love, and serve every human life. A brief summary highlights key themes and foundational teachings from the papal encyclical, exploring how the Church’s teachings regarding human life are at the heart of Jesus’ entire Gospel message.

Day One: May the tragic practice of abortion end.

Day Two: May each person suffering from participation in abortion find forgiveness, hope, and healing in Christ.

Day Three: May all who defend life find strength and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

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

Day Five: May all who support or participate in abortion experience a conversion of heart to seek and receive the Lord’s boundless mercy.

Day Six: May every expectant mother receive compassionate care and support as she nurtures the life in her womb.

Day Seven: May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.

Day Eight: May expectant mothers choosing adoption receive grace and support in embracing this loving option.

Day Nine: May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance.

Babies in the womb are more vulnerable than ever. When you sign up for Respect Life Prayer and Action, you will receive: