Intercession
May Catholic parish communities strive to provide compassionate, tangible support to expectant moms needing assistance.
Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection
In
Evangelium vitae
(
The Gospel of Life
), Pope John Paul II applauds the daily heroism of mothers who selflessly devote themselves to their children. This modern-day saint also highlights the unfortunate reality that “these heroic women do not always find support in the world around them.” He goes on to say, “On the contrary, the cultural models frequently promoted and broadcast by the media do not encourage motherhood. In the name of progress and modernity the values of fidelity, chastity, sacrifice, to which a host of Christian wives and mothers have borne and continue to bear outstanding witness, are presented as obsolete” (
EV
86).
A culture that fails to truly value motherhood naturally becomes hostile to the gift of new life. When the Church compassionately serves mothers, it witnesses to the beauty of human life. There is a great need for real, tangible assistance for expectant mothers. Christ calls us to serve those most alone and in need. In a world that often turns it back on mothers who sacrifice so much of themselves, may we, the Church’s members, rise to help mothers in need of assistance and support.
Acts of Reparation
(Choose one.)
- Do you regularly enjoy a meal out during the week? Or do you typically stop to get a cup of coffee each morning? Give up one of these small pleasures this week. Use the money you saved to make a donation to a local pregnancy center, food pantry, or charity that provides assistance to mothers in need.
- Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for this month’s intention.
One Step Further
Next month the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of
Evangelium vitae
. In honor of this special anniversary year, a nationwide initiative is launching that is dedicated to serving pregnant women in need, called
Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service
.
You are essential to the success of this effort. If you haven't already,
will you pledge to prayerfully support pregnant women in your community?
(Your name and contact information will
not
be shared publicly. Also, clicking the pledge button will let us know you want to receive information on this nationwide effort.)
