Have You Prayed Today?

Specifically the first part of a nine day novena marking the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade? To ease the pain of this grave reality?

Today we are drawn out of ourselves to pray for the mother who remembers her child in a culture that tries to pretend there never was anything but a choice. From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website:

Intercession: For the mother who awakens each morning with the memory of abortion fresh in her mind: that the Lord may still the terror in her heart and lead her gently to the well-spring of his love and mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. May she, and all who’ve been involved in an abortion decision, find healing and hope through Project Rachel Ministry.

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection: Today’s Gospel reading from Mark recounts Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees question Jesus about this, he responds, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” In a society where millions of people have fallen prey to the false promises of the culture of death, let us witness to the mercy of Jesus and invite all who’ve been harmed to experience his abundant love and healing.

Acts of Reparation (choose one):

Take time to write a handwritten note to someone who is lonely or needing encouragement.

Pray for your deceased relatives and those who have no one to pray for them.

“Spiritually adopt” a baby by saying this prayer every day: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of [baby’s name], the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.” – Prayer of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Did you know? Women who’ve had an abortion have a 138% higher risk of mental health problems compared to women who’ve given birth, according to a 2011 article in the British Journal of Psychiatry that analyzed 22 major studies on women’s mental health following abortion. Together, the studies involved over 800,000 women. Visit HopeAfterAbortion.org for more information on abortion’s aftermath and where to find help.

Let’s join together in prayer. To make the next forty years more welcoming to life, more generous toward mothers; a time when men know they are needed, as men, as fathers; where we all love one another more.

The prayer guide is here. You can sign up for text-message and e-mail reminders, too.