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Pro-Life and Family Life Prayers

World Meeting of Families Prayer

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

Pro-Life Rosary Prayer (PDF file)

Adopcíón Espiritual por la Oración a la Vida

Written prayers

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 our 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. Amen

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Prayed on ordinary rosary beads, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer that is especially encouraged to be said for the conversion of those hearts most hardened. The Chaplet is usually said at the Passion Hour (3:00), said every day, and said on a regular set of Rosary beads. It begins with the OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, and THE APOSTLES' CREED all three prayers being said on the crucifix. Then on the large bead before each decade recite: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On each of the small bead, recite: For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

At the end of the Chaplet recite three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Then conclude with the following prayer said three times also: O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as Font of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

Prayer to Saint Gerard for Expectant Mothers

Dear Redemptorist Saint, model Priest and Religious, compassionate toward suffering Mothers, intercede for this expectant Mother. Let her not be selfish like those who are willing to put an end to the life they bear within themselves. Instead let her remain ever conscious that she is privileged to be the instrument through whom God brings another life into the world. Encourage her for the good of her child and the glory of the Lord of life. Amen.

Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn

The Spiritual Adoption program can be used by individuals, schools, religious education programs, or the entire parish. Basically, the program is for anyone who is concerned about abortion, and who is willing to pray for babies in danger of abortion, "that they might have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Learn more about spiritual adoption of the unborn

Spiritual Adoption Prayer

"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 J. Sheen

The Pro Life Scriptural Rosary

(From Presentation Ministries, 3230 McHenry, Cincinnati, OH 45211)
The Lord calls us to delight in and meditate on His word day and night (Ps.1:2). If we do this, the Lord promises us success in all our works (Ps. 1:3). Consequently, when we pray the rosary and the Scriptures, we are taking steps that will be successful in protecting human life and stopping abortion. Pray this scriptural rosary so that life will be cherished.

The First Joyful Mystery The Annunciation

1) "You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name Jesus." (Lk. 1:31)
2) "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy Offspring to be born will be called Son of God." (Lk. 1:35)
3) "Know that Elizabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age." (Lk. 1:36)
4) "The virgin shall be with Child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call Him Emmanuel, a name which means "God is with us." (Mt. 1:23; Is 7:14)
5) "Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this Child." (Mt. 1:20)
6) "He had no relations with her at any time before she bore a Son, Whom he named Jesus." (Mt. 1:25)
7) "Truly You have formed my inmost being; You knit me in my mother's womb." (Ps 139: 13)
8) "The fruit of the womb is a reward." (Ps. 127:3)
9) "They ripped open expectant mothers." (Am 1:13)
10) "Mary said: 'I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." (Lk. 1:38)

The Second Joyful Mystery The Visitation

1) "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb." (Lk. 1:41)
2) "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: 'Blest are you among women and blest is the Fruit of your womb.'" (Lk. 1:41-42)
3) "The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leapt in my womb for joy." (Lk. 1:44)
4) "He will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He will never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb." (Lk. 1:15)
5) "You, O Child, shall be called prophet of the Most High." (Lk. 1:76)
6) "You shall go before the Lord to prepare straight paths for Him." (Lk. 1:76)
7) "...giving his people knowledge of salvation and freedom from their sins. (Lk. 1:77)
8) "...nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor's life is at stake. I am the Lord." (Lv. 19:16)
9) "If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you." (Prv. 24: 10)
10) "Blest is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." (Lk. 1:45)

The Third Joyful Mystery The Birth of Jesus

1) "She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged." (Lk. 2:7)
2) "They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, found the Child with Mary His mother." (Mt. 2:10-11)
3) "They prostrated themselves and did Him homage." (Mt. 2:11)
4) "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise." (Mt. 2:13)
5) "Herod is searching for the Child to destroy Him." (Mt. 2:13)
6) "Herod ordered the massacre of all the boys two years old and under in Bethlehem and its environs." (Mt. 2:16)
7) "A cry was heard at Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation." (Mt. 2:18; Jer. 31: 15)
8) "Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are no more." (Mt. 2:18; Jer. 31:15)
9) "Those who had designs on the life of the Child are dead." (Mt. 2:20)
10) "Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart." (Lk. 2:19)

The Fourth Joyful Mystery The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

1) "When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord." (Lk. 2:22)
2) "My eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all the peoples to see." (Lk. 2:30-31)
3) "This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a Sign that will be opposed." (Lk. 2:34)
4) "You yourself shall be pierced with a sword--so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare." (Lk. 2:35)
5) "She gave thanks to God and talked about the Child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem." (Lk. 2:38)
6) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you." (Jer. 1:5)
7) "I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request." (1Sm. 1:27)
8) "Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord." (1 Sm. 1:28)
9) "You shall not offer any of your offspring to be immolated to Molech." (Lv. 18:21)
10) "The Child grew in size and strength, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." (Lk. 2:40)

The Fifth Joyful Mystery The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

1) "You see that Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow." (Lk. 2:48)
2) "He went down with them then, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them." (Lk. 2:51)
3) "Let the children come to Me." (Mt. 19:14)
4) "Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mt. 19:14)
5) "Then He embraced them and blessed them, placing His hands on them." (Mk. 10:16)
6) "He, the Dayspring, shall visit us in His mercy to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." (Lk. 1:78-79)
7) "God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living." (Wis. 1:13)
8) "Jesus told him: 'I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.'" (Jn. 14:6)
9) "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life." (Dt. 30:19)
10) "Jesus told her: 'I am the Resurrection and the Life.'" (Jn. 11:25)

A Child's Prayer for the Unborn

Thank you Father, for the gift of life. Thank you for the beauty of the day...for sunshine...for rain...for seasons...for happiness...even for sorrows I do not understand. But most of all, Father, thank you for people...for people through whom I see you, know you, and love you. Hear this prayer to assure life for the unborn so that they, too, may one day share the happiness of life and goodness of your love. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Gerard for Protection During Pregnancy

Great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of our meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of the Mother of God, enkindle in my heart one spark of that heavenly of charity which glowed in yours and made you a seraph of love. Glorious Saint Gerard, because, like your Divine Master, you bore without murmur or complaint the calumnies of wicked men when falsely accused of crime, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me in the dangers of motherhood, and shield the child I now bear, that it may be brought safely to the light of day and receive the sacrament of baptism.

Human Life and Dignity