October - Respect life month

Today is the first day of October, respect life month.  Every weekend in October, we pray the rosary before the masses, reflecting upon the mysteries of the rosary through the lens of the respect for life. This weekend, we pray the Joyful Mysteries.

The Joyful Mysteries – 1st Weekend in October 2016 – Oct 1 and 2

Prayer at the beginning of the rosary –

O gentle Jesus, through whom all life came to be, hear our prayers for all men and women.

Hear our prayers for the great and powerful.

Hear our prayers for the weak and broken.

Hear our prayers for the smallest and most innocent.

Hear our prayer for tall human cedars and the very smallest of human flowers.

May all see in each human being the souls so precious to you.

As we celebrate the feast day of Saint Thérèse of the Little Flower this weekend, we unite our prayers with prayers of Saint Thérèse, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the community of saints.

We ask this though Christ our Lord. Amen.

1. The Annunciation of our Lord

As the angel proclaimed the conception of Christ in Mary's womb, so do mothers and fathers learn every day about the upcoming birth of their children.  Let us pray to Mary, the Mother of us all, that every child be treasured and protected from the first moment of conception as an inestimable and wondrous gift of God.

2. The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth

As the child in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy when the Blessed Virgin visited her, with Mary being pregnant with the Son of God, so may our hearts leap with joy at the wonders of new life promised in every expectant mother.

3. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus

In the birth of every child we see the birth of Christ Jesus in the humble Bethlehem stable.  Let us commend all new mothers and fathers and every newborn child to the protection and intercession of the Mother of God and Mother of all Christians.

4. The presentation of our Lord Jesus in the Temple

As Christ was consecrated to God at his presentation in the temple by Mary and Joseph, so many we consecrate all children to that holiness, purity, and innocence by which they lead us to God.  Let us pray for all the children and youth in our parish community and give thanks for the ways we see Christ in them. 

5. The finding in the Temple

As the Christ Child was found in the temple by the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, so we pray for all children, especially those lost and forgotten, especially those who are victims of violence, bullying, and neglect.  May the Gospel of Life impel us to find them when they are most in need and to lead them home to a place where they are treasured, protected, and loved.

Prayer at the end of the rosary –

      Heavenly Father, the beauty and dignity of human life was the crowning of your creation. You further ennobled that life when your Son became one with us in his incarnation. Help us to realize the sacredness of human life and to respect it from the moment of conception until the last moment at death. Give us courage to speak with truth and love and with conviction in defense of life. Help us to extend the gentle hand of mercy and forgiveness to those who do not reverence your gift of life. To all, grant pardon for the times we have failed to be grateful for your precious gift of life or to respect it in others. We ask this in Jesus' Name.  Amen.