There are many ways to observe this special anniversary, from growing in personal knowledge and appreciation of the encyclical to public events. Below are a few suggestions.
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1. Read the encyclical. Whether you have read The Gospel of Life before or not, spend time in these days to read it. It is deeply scriptural, understandable, and practical, and some of it reads like a spiritual meditation. Find the full text here.
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2. Study the document. With the use of the Evangelium Vitae Study Guide prepared by Priests for Life, you can delve more deeply into a study of The Gospel of Life either individually or in a group setting. Perhaps during one of the meetings of your pro-life group or other organization, a group study session can be organized. Churches may want to conduct a series of adult education classes based on the study guide.
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3. Using prayer that you can find at www.ProLifePrayers.com, add a pro-life prayer to your daily prayer routine during these days in honor of the anniversary of The Gospel of Life and its call for a great campaign of prayer.
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4. To implement the encyclical’s special appeal to those who have had abortions, echo the invitation to healing by promoting sites like www.AbortionForgiveness.com, where a person can find the healing program nearest to them. Also promote www.RachelsVineyard.org.
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5. To echo the line in The Gospel of Life (#99) that says that those who have had abortions can be among the most eloquent spokespersons of the right to life, read and share the testimonies of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign that are at www.AbortionTestimonies.com.
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6. To implement the teaching of The Gospel of Life about politics, law, and the meaning of democracy (#20), get involved in pro-life political efforts to educate, elect, and lobby those who recognize the duty of the state to protect the unborn. Find resources and sign up for training at www.ProLifeVote.com.
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7. In response to the call of The Gospel of Life to be part of “a great campaign in support of life,” get more involved day by day in the pro-life movement. Start by participating in the action alerts that you will find at www.StopAbortionNow.org, examine the Ten Steps to End Abortion, and equip your Church with pro-life resources and activities using www.ProLife.Church.
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8. Work with your Church or pro-life group to hold a public event in observance of the anniversary. This could be a Mass, a Holy Hour, a prayer vigil at an abortion facility, or a luncheon event with a speaker, just as some examples.
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