Bulletin Inserts: Prayers and Devotions

An Easter Prayer for Life

Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the Author of Life.
You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
The one who died and now lives forevermore.
May all who work and pray to defend human life as
Sacred from conception to natural death
Always draw strength, confidence, and joy
From Your eternal victory over death. Amen. Alleluia!

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Prayer to the Holy Spirit from Priests for Life
Holy Spirit,
At the dawn of creation,
You brought order out of chaos,
Light out of darkness,
Life out of nothingness.

Breathe on us once again,
And change this culture of death
Into a Culture of Life.
Inspire in your people
A spirit of generous welcome
For each and every life,
No matter how unexpected or dependent
That life may be.
Holy Spirit,
You are the Advocate.
As you fill us with Yourself,
Make us advocates
For the unborn and all the vulnerable,
Until we are all united
In the endless life and joy
of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer For Life
"O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy.  Grant that all who believe in Your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life." - Source: The Gospel of Life by Pope John Paul II

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Litany to Mary, Mother of Life

Mary, Mother of all Life,
help us to respect human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

Mary, pray for us (R).

Mary, Mother of Compassion,
You showed us how valuable a single life can be;
Help us to guard and protect the lives of all people entrusted to our care. R.
Mary, Mother of the Child Jesus,
with St. Joseph you formed the Holy Family.
Guard and protect all families in this earthly life; R.
Mary, Mother Most Holy,
You sanctified the vocation of motherhood;
Pour out your heavenly aid on all mothers and help them to be holy. R.
Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
Simeon’s prophecy foretold that a sword of suffering would pierce your heart;
Bring comfort and hope to all mothers who suffer over their children. R.
Mary, Full of Grace,
You had a choice in responding to God’s call;
Help us always to say “Yes” to the will of God in our lives,
And strive always to do whatever he tells us. R.
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted,
Pour forth your heavenly grace on all who are in need of God’s healing,
Especially those involved in abortion;
Help them to experience the love and mercy of Christ, your Son. R.
Mary, Intercessor and Advocate,
We lift up the poor, the displaced, the marginalized and vulnerable members of society;
Help them to never abandon hope, but to place their trust in the God who gave them life. R.
Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, you bore in your womb him whom the heavens cannot contain; Help us to bear witness to Christ by the example of our lives
And show the world the extravagant love of God. R.

http://www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/2009/liturgyguide.pdf

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Sisters and brothers, as we set out on this journey, let us reflect upon the reasons for this undertaking. Let our desire for justice and dignity for all human life strengthen our resolve. May we be examples of faith, of hope, and of love, so that others may be strengthened and enriched by our presence among them. May the Lord remain with us and guide our steps along right and peaceful ways during this journey.

~ USCCB Blessing for Pro-Life pilgrims ~

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ASSUMPTION NOVENA FOR LIFE (August 7-15)
Lord Jesus Christ,
You have conquered the power of death
And opened for humanity
The hope of eternal life in body and soul.

You granted your Mother
A share in heavenly glory,
And did not allow decay to touch her body.

As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary,
Grant us new confidence in the victory of life over death,
And renewed reverence for the human body.

As we honor Mary, Assumed into Heaven,
May we proclaim the hope of Your Gospel:
That you want every human life seated on your throne.

May that hope strengthen us to protect every life here on earth.

You live and reign forever and ever. Amen. ~Priests for Life

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The Dignity of Workers
This prayer was composed by Blessed Pope John XXIII (1959-63). It places all workers under the patronage of St. Joseph the Worker, and asks for his intercession so that we may regard our work as a means of growing in holiness.

O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for them with your work, protect with loving power your [sons and daughters], especially entrusted to you.
You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at the side of Jesus and of His Mother. Do not allow them, oppressed by so many worries, to forget the purpose for which they were created by God. Do not allow the seeds of distrust to take hold of their immortal souls. Remind all the workers that in the fields, in factories, in mines, and in scientific laboratories, they are not working, rejoicing, or suffering alone, but at their side is Jesus, with Mary, His Mother and ours, to sustain them, to dry the sweat of their brow, giving value to their toil. Teach them to turn work into a very high instrument of sanctification as you did. Amen.