CONTENTS

Prayer to the Virgin Mary
Litany in Response to Abortion
Pro-Life Examination of Conscience
Pledge of Re-Commitment
About Priests for Life

1998 Priests for Life

"Without Me, you can do nothing" (Jn.15:5).

These words of the Lord to His disciples make clear the necessity of prayer and union with God for the success of any worthy undertaking. Prayer is not just a "good thing." It is, rather, absolutely necessary. The Lord Jesus does not only "help us." Without Him, we can do nothing at all.

The tragedy of abortion demands the constant and vigorous response of the disciples of Christ. We have prepared this booklet to assist believers to ground that response in prayer, and to find in prayer the constant source of their pro-life activity.

When dealing with a bitter public controversy like abortion, some may be tempted to use prayer as an escape from activity which may cause them inconvenience or rejection. Yet prayer is never meant to turn us in on ourselves. Instead, it is supposed to propel us into action.

For this reason, our devotional booklet concludes with a "Pledge of Recommitment," so that in leaving our prayer time we may be ever more ready to respond in concrete ways to the needs of our brothers and sisters in danger from abortion.

It is our hope that you will pray daily for an end to abortion, and also use this booklet in your Churches, at abortion facilities, and in prayer groups.

Please keep in contact with Priests for Life to receive updated prayer resources and other information about what you can do to end abortion.

Contact Priests for Life at P. O. Box 141172 • Staten Island, NY 10314 • Tel. 888-PFL-3448, Fax: 718-980-6515

Eternal God, You have revealed Yourself as the Father of all Life. We praise You for the Fatherly care which You extend to all creation, and especially to us, made in Your image and likeness.

Father, extend Your hand of protection to those threatened by abortion, and save them from its destructive power. Give Your strength to all fathers, that they may never give in to the fears that may tempt them to facilitate abortions.

Bless our families and bless our land, that we may have the joy of welcoming and nurturing the life of which You are the source and the Eternal Father. Amen.

Redeemer in the Womb

Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.

You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.

Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the children who today are in their mothers’ womb. Save them from the danger of abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb.

"This is My Body, given up for you." Lord Jesus, we hear Your words each day at Mass. You have used these words to teach us the meaning of Your love for us, a love that brought You to the cross to give Your life so we might live. You use these words also to teach us the meaning of our love for one another, a love which leads us to give ourselves away that others might live.

"This is my body." Lord, we also hear these words used by those who think they can take life, just because that life is growing within their body. We hear these words distorted by those who support abortion.

Grant that all Your people may learn that human fulfillment is never found by pushing someone else out of the way, but only and always by pushing ourselves out of the way. May all Your people live their lives according to Your most sacred words, "This is my body, given up for you!"

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Eucharist, Your Sacred Body, by which You unite us as one body in You. "For we, many though we are, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Cor. 10:17) As we receive You, O Lord, You also receive us. As You draw us up to Yourself, You draw us also into one another. "You are the Body of Christ, and individually members of it" (1 Cor. 12:27).

Lord, grant that we may never exclude any of the other members of Your Body from our love. As we receive Your Body in Communion, so let us receive and welcome all the members of Your Body, no matter how inconvenient they may be. Help us especially to welcome those who have become the most unwelcome members of our world, namely, those who have just entered it. Bless our brothers and sisters in the womb. Rid our world of the sin of abortion, which divides parents from their own children, from one another, from their very selves, and from You, O Lord.

Grant that the power of Unity which we find in the Eucharist may overcome the fear of the unborn child, and may enable us to welcome that child as a brother, a sister, a member of Your Body. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I firmly believe that the Blessed Sacrament is Your very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. Senses cannot grasp this marvel. Faith, however, reaches beyond what the eyes can see and assures us that You are present.

Grant, O Lord, that our faith in the Eucharist may also strengthen our ability to recognize the dignity of every human life. We know that the senses can fool us there as well. Some may not be attractive, others may seem too small, some may appear as less than human.

But we, who can see You in the Sacred Host, can certainly see you in our brothers and sisters. We can also see You, O Lord, in the children in the womb. In a day when so many have forgotten these children, and dismiss them as less valuable than those who are born, grant that we may grow all the more convinced of their dignity and worth.

Then grant, O Lord, that we may act accordingly. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit, Creator of all things... You who breathed over the waters at the dawn of creation and brought forth all living beings... You who filled the apostles when the Risen Lord breathed on them on the first Easter night, giving them the power to restore life to those dead in sin... You who, on the last day, will breathe again over all the dead and raise them from the grave–Come! Come and breathe on our world again, immersed as it is in the Culture of Death! Come, O Lord and Giver of Life! Defeat the works of death in our midst, that abortion may no longer stain our land.

We worship You, O Holy Spirit, and we rejoice in You. We know that no matter how strong the forces of death may be, we can still find in You the endless source of life. Renew that life in each of us, and make us worthy apostles of the Culture of Life in our day! Amen.

Holy Spirit, You are the promised Spirit of Truth, constantly revealing the splendor of truth to Your people, and leading us deeper into the Mysteries of our Faith.

Come to us today, and deepen in our minds and hearts the truth about life: its greatness, its dignity, its reflection of the eternal God. Make us appreciate ever more the truth that life is always a good, and that every life is of equal dignity, despite all the different characteristics people have, or the different circumstances under which they come to be.

Come, Spirit of Truth. Free all Your people from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion. Free them from the false and harmful ideas which make a god out of their own choices, or which fail to recognize the right to life of children in the womb.

Come, O Holy Spirit, and as You immerse us in Your truth, so make us effective witnesses of that truth within our families, among our friends, and to all the world. Amen.

O Holy Spirit of God, You were promised to us by the Lord Jesus as an Advocate, as one who pleads our cause and speaks up for us in the heights of heaven. "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever..." (Jn.14:15).

The apostle Paul has taught us that You intercede for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech (Rom. 8:26).

We praise You today for the gift of salvation, for we are deeply aware that we cannot save ourselves. We have sinned, and we cannot win forgiveness on our own. We need an Advocate.

We ask You, O Holy Spirit, to make us ever more aware of those who need us as advocates. Grant that we may hear the cries of our youngest, smallest brothers and sisters, those still in the womb, who cannot speak or defend themselves, and who cannot even pray.

Holy Spirit, as You are the Advocate, so make us advocates. As You hear our cries for mercy, so let us hear the cries of others for mercy. Save us from the misfortune of seeking mercy only for ourselves, while being deaf to others. As you loosened the tongues of the apostles at Pentecost, so grant us today a Pentecost for the unborn, that we may speak for them before the great and the small, before governments and institutions, and before all Your people. Amen.

We trust in the mercy and power of God. Therefore, we now pray with confidence.

For the Holy Catholic Church throughout the world, that she may carry on her mission of life with faith and joy, we pray to the Lord...

That God may protect all unborn babies, and keep them safe from the scourge of abortion, we pray to the Lord...

For all women who have had abortions, and for those who feel tempted and afraid, we pray to the Lord...

That God may bless all doctors and nurses, and help them use their skills to heal and foster life, we pray to the Lord...

For all elected officials, that they courageously advance the cause of life, we pray to the Lord...

For all those who work in the pro-life movement, that they move forward with haste to the great day of victory, we pray to the Lord...

That God strengthen all pro-lifers who suffer ridicule, rejection or imprisonment, we pray to the Lord...

For all those who have died, that they share the full glory of Heaven, we pray to the Lord...

We praise you, O God, Lord and Giver of Life, and we look to You in the sure hope that You will grant these prayers through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Though innocent, Jesus is condemned by the power of the State. In like manner, our innocent brothers and sisters in the womb have been condemned. Their rights and dignity are not recognized. In this, they bear a special likeness to Jesus.

The Second Station: Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross

The salvation of the world carried a heavy price for our Lord, the agony of the cross. As He accepts His cross, let us also resolve to endure suffering that others may live. Let us pay the price for standing up for our preborn brothers and sisters.

The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

Almighty God was weak because He chose to be like us. He had power and glory from all eternity, yet He chose to be immersed in the world of suffering. We pray that the benefits and advantages we have in life may not cause us to forget our pre-born brothers and sisters.

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

There is no deeper relationship than that of mother and child. They belong together. When one suffers, the other suffers. To love and defend one means to love and defend the other. To be pro-life means to serve both the child and the mother. It means to ask our society, "Why can’t we love them both?"

The Fifth Station: The Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Many watched the Lord suffer. Simon the Cyrenian helped alleviate that suffering. Many lament abortion. Some actually get involved to help to stop it. We pray that all people may take their active place in the pro-life movement.

The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The compassion Veronica shows reflects the compassion of so many medical doctors and nurses, who treat their patients with dignity. We pray for repentance and renewal in the medical profession. May the tools and skills meant for healing nevermore be used for killing.

The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

In working to defend life, there are many setbacks and obstacles. Yet we know the meaning of the cross. In weakness, power reaches perfection. We do not look to our own strengths and talents alone, but to Christ. His own strength will sustain us.

The Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

Christ told these women to weep for themselves and for their children. He does not want false worship, but repentance. He does not want followers who cry out to Him but then ignore injustice and bloodshed. May all who believe in Christ likewise stand up for the defenseless children.

The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time

Despite the falls, nothing can stop our Lord, because He is on a mission of love. If the pro-life movement is not a movement of love, it is nothing at all, but if it is a movement of love, then nothing will stop it. Love is stronger than death, more powerful than hell.

The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Nobody can stop us from loving our preborn brothers and sisters. Those who are stronger than we are may strip us of popularity, possessions, or power, but they cannot strip us of love. We love others with the same love that Christ showed for us.

The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

The powers of this world crucified the God who made this world. All power and authority come from God. All who exercise power have to account for it before the throne of God. We pray that those in government may use their powers to protect the innocent babies in the womb.

The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Our Lord died. So many of His children have died with Him. His passion is re-lived with every abortion, one every twenty seconds in our country. We only know a fraction of the horror of this act in the sight of God. We only know a fraction of the horror of Christ’s crucifixion. May all our brothers and sisters killed by abortion rest in Christ’s peace and be saved by His cross.

The Thirteenth Station: Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

Mary experienced the pain of holding her dead Son. So many mothers grieve after their abortions. We ask that Mary may comfort them, help them face the truth about abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing.

The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

A tomb is a memorial. It helps us remember the one who can no longer speak. May we and our society remember the babies who cannot speak. May we also remember Our Lord’s Resurrection, and His promise of eternal life. He has conquered abortion because He has conquered death. May we bring His victory to every part of our world!

Father of Life and Love, we thank you today that you have called us to share in the life of the one human family. We thank you for all our brothers and sisters, and ask You to deepen the bonds of love among us.

We thank you especially for our youngest and smallest brothers and sisters, those in the womb. Today, Oh Lord, we remember them, while so many choose to ignore and forget them. We remember those who are living, and commend them to Your protection. We remember those who have died and we commend them to Your mercy.

Father, we dedicate to You this memorial stone. We pray that it will serve as a witness to the humanity of our youngest brothers and sisters. We pray that it will serve as a testimony that we are responsible for them. We pray that it will provide a place where those who have lost their children may mourn and find comfort.

We pray, Father, that we who are the living stones of the Church, may likewise be witnesses to the dignity of life. Give us the grace to confront the evil of abortion and eliminate it. May we see the day when all people who look upon this stone will remember abortion only as a thing of the past, and may praise You forever for the victory of life.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Annunciation

Mary is troubled by the angel’s greeting, yet rejoices to do God’s will. Let us pray that those who are troubled by their pregnancy may have the grace to trust in God’s will.

The Visitation

John the Baptist leapt for joy in his mother’s womb. We pray that people may realize that abortion is not about children who "might" come into the world, but is about children who are already in the world, living and growing in the womb, and are scheduled to be killed.

The Nativity

God Himself was born as a child. The greatness of a person does not depend on size, for the newborn King is very small. Let us pray for an end to prejudice against the tiny babies threatened by abortion.

The Presentation

The Child is presented in the Temple because the Child belongs to God. Children are not the property of their parents, nor of the government. They —and we—belong to God Himself.

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The boy Jesus was filled with wisdom, because He is God. Let us pray that all people may see the wisdom of His teachings about the dignity of life, and may understand that this teaching is not an opinion, but the truth.

The Agony in the Garden

Let us pray for mothers and fathers who are in agony because they are tempted to abort a child. May they be given the good news that there are alternatives, and may they make use of the help that is available.

The Scourging

As Christ’s flesh was torn by the instruments of those who scourged Him, so the bodies of babies in the womb are torn by the instruments of the abortionists. Let us pray that abortionists may repent of these acts of child-killing.

The Crowning With Thorns

Jesus suffered the pain of thorns in His head, and did so silently. We pray for the mothers and fathers of aborted children. So many of them suffer deep grief and regret over a choice they can never reverse. So many suffer in silence, because others tell them it’s no big deal.

The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus was not condemned by the power of wicked people. He was condemned because of the silence of good people. Silence always helps the oppressor, never the victim. Let us pray that we may never be silent about abortion, but rather will clearly speak up to save babies from death.

The Crucifixion

As we ponder the death of Christ, let us remember the many women who have died from so-called "safe, legal" abortions. Let us ask forgiveness and mercy for them. May their memory save other women from making this tragic mistake.

The Resurrection

Christ is Risen! By his Resurrection, He has destroyed the power of death, and therefore the power of abortion. The outcome of the battle for Life has already been decided: Life is victorious! Let us pray that all prolifers will spread this victory to every segment of our society.

The Ascension

By ascending to the Father’s throne, Christ takes our human nature, given to us in the womb, to the heights of heaven. He shows us that human beings are made to be raised to heaven, not thrown in the garbage. Let us pray that the world may learn this truth and reject abortion.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Advocate: He pleads our cause, for we cannot save ourselves. We pray that He will make us advocates for the babies, who cannot speak or write or vote or protest or even pray.

The Assumption

The Blessed Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven because she is the Mother of God. Mother and child are united. The Assumption reminds us that they belong together. We pray that society will see that it cannot love women while killing their children, and cannot save children without helping their mothers. We pray that people will be touched by the pro-life question, "Why can’t we love them both?"

The Coronation

Mary is the Queen of the Universe. She is the greatest creature, second only to God Himself. The Church defends the dignity of women. We pray that people will understand that to be pro-life means to be pro-woman, and that to be pro-woman demands that we be pro-life.

O Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of us all, we turn to you today as the one who said "Yes" to Life. "You will conceive and bear a Son," the angel told you. Despite the surprise and the uncertainty about how this could be, you said yes. "Be it done unto me according to your word."

Mary, we pray today for all mothers who are afraid to be mothers. We pray for those who feel threatened and overwhelmed by their pregnancy. Intercede for them, that God may give them the grace to say yes and the courage to go on. May they have the grace to reject the false solution of abortion. May they say with you, "Be it done unto me according to your word." May they experience the help of Christian people, and know the peace that comes from doing God’s will. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father, Creator of the world,

God the Son, through whom all things were made,

God the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,

Lord Jesus, the Beginning and the End,

Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,

Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,

Lord Jesus, Eternal Word of Life,

Lord Jesus, living in the womb of the Virgin Mary,

Lord Jesus, Lover of the poor and weak,

Lord Jesus, Defender of the helpless,

Lord Jesus, Bread of Life,

For every sin against life,

For the sin of abortion,

For the daily killing of innocent babies,

For the bloodshed throughout our land,

For the silent screams of Your children,

For the killing of Your future disciples,

For the exploitation of women by abortion,

For the silence of Your people,

For the apathy of Your people,

For the co-operation of Your people in this tragedy,

For our pre-born brothers and sisters killed by abortion,

For our pre-born brothers and sisters threatened by abortion,

For our brothers and sisters who have survived abortion,

For mothers who have had abortions,

For mothers tempted to have abortions,

For mothers pressured to have abortions,

For mothers who have refused to have abortions,

For the fathers of aborted babies,

For the families of aborted babies,

For the families of those tempted to have abortions,

For abortionists,

For all who assist and cooperate in abortions,

For doctors and nurses, that they may nurture life,

For government leaders, that they may defend life,

For the clergy, that they may speak up for life,

For the pro-life movement,

For those who speak, write, and work to end abortion,

For those who help provide alternatives to abortion...

For those who promote adoption,

For national and local pro-life groups,

For unity in the pro-life movement,

For courage and perseverance in pro-life work,

For those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their stand for life,

For those imprisoned for defending life,

For those who have been injured and mistreated for defending life,

For legal professionals,

For courts and judges,

For police officers,

For educators,

For media professionals,

In thanksgiving for the babies saved from abortion,

In thanksgiving for the mothers saved and healed from abortion,

In thanksgiving for the former abortion providers who have become pro-life,

In thanksgiving for all those who take a stand against abortion,

In thanksgiving for the call to be part of the pro-life movement,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us,

O Lord, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Let us Pray

Almighty and ever-living God, You have created all things through Your Son Jesus Christ. He trampled the power of death by His Paschal Mystery. May all who acknowledge You promote the sacredness of life and always serve You faithfully, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Am I fully convinced that abortion is the destruction of an innocent human life which has the same value as my life, my parents' lives, my children's lives? Do I foster and nourish this conviction by reflecting often on the tragic loss of life occurring daily around me? Do I ever allow myself the thought that abortion does not really concern me and that I have "more important" things to do? Do I believe I am responsible for my pre-born brothers and sisters, and accountable to God for what I do to save them?

Do I pray daily explicitly for an end to abortion? Do I pray for the babies, the mothers, the abortionists, the legislators, the media, the clergy, and the whole pro-life movement? Do I fast or make other sacrifices I can really feel? Or do I believe the fight against abortion can be easy? Do I try to make it easy and convenient? Do I take shortcuts in my pro-life commitment?

Do I try to come up with new ideas for pro-life work? Do I suggest these ideas to others or just forget about them? Do I give financially to the cause even when it hurts? Is financial loss on my part worth the life of a child?

Do I have faith that God is the Lord of Life? Do I believe the whole struggle is in His hands? Am I willing to give more time to this cause and cut out other activities which are less urgent than life and death? Do I trust Him! Do I ask His guidance? Do I keep my eyes on Him, or do I allow discouragement in by focusing only on the problem and myself?

Am I learning more about the issues surrounding abortion and about the pro-life movement? Do I read good pro-life books? Do I subscribe to at least one pro-life publication so that I can be well informed on the issue? Do I escape from taking action by thinking that prayer alone is enough? Do I see pro-life work as a work of love for people who are in need, or is it just an "issue" or a "project" to me?

Do I speak up about pro-life? Do I make full use of the opportunities I have, such as wearing pins or using bumper stickers or decals? Do I write letters to the paper or to legislators or to doctors? Or do I allow my lack of self-confidence to paralyze my activity? Do I only do what's comfortable, or do I try to expand my skills? Do I develop my talents, whatever they may be for the pro-life cause? Are my efforts genuine and generous? Do I take proper care of myself, physically and spiritually, so that I can be more effective in my pro-life work? Do I rest when I need to?

Do I gladly participate in projects that need to be done, even if I don't particularly want to? Do I foster unity in the movement? Do I encourage my fellow pro-lifers? Are all of my efforts guided by charity? Do I allow unhealthy competition between pro-life persons or groups to begin or continue? Do I follow the advice or direction of those who bear responsibility for pro-life projects or groups, so as to make their task easier? Do I seek the advice and input of those more experienced in pro-life work?

Do I try to grow in compassion for women who are tempted to have abortions or who have had them in the past? Do I try to understand their situation and learn more about their needs? Do I help women find alternatives to abortion? Do I inspire hope in women I know who have had abortions? Do I help them find forgiveness and healing?

Am I ready from this day forward to be a better pro-lifer? Am I ready to launch out with new strength, generosity, and determination to bring an end to abortion, without counting the cost to myself? Am I grateful enough for the gift of life to work to give life to others? Do I thank God for the privilege of being part of the pro-life movement?

I thank God today for the gift of my life,

And for the lives of my brothers and sisters.

I know I am responsible for the unborn who cannot speak for themselves.

I know that the most serious tragedy of our day is the tragedy of abortion.

Today I commit myself,

never to be silent,

never to be passive,

never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement

And never to stop defending life

Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,

And our nation once again becomes

A nation with liberty and justice

Not just for some, but for all. Amen!

Priests for Life is national pro-life organization which is recognized under the Canon law of the Catholic Church and maintains close contact with the bishops’ pro-life office and diocesan respect-life coordinators. The goal of Priests for Life is to unite and encourage all priests and deacons who give a special emphasis to the life issues in their ministry. It also seeks to motivate every priest and deacon to take a more vocal and active role in the pro-life movement, with predominant emphasis on the issues of abortion and euthanasia.

Priests for Life publishes a regular newsletter and offers a wide range of educational materials, including pro-life brochures, video tapes and audio tapes. Pro-life training seminars are also offered to clergy and laity.