respect life month novena
in collaboration with
OCTOBER 22-30, 2025
Day 1
Today, October 22nd is the feast of Pope St. John Paul II. In 1995, he wrote Evangelium vitae, also known as, The Gospel of Life. This prophetic encyclical reaffirmed the value and inviolability of human life and urged all people to respect, protect, love, and serve every human life. Learn more about the essential teachings of this profound document in “The Gospel of Life: A Brief Summary.”
Day 2
You are invited to ponder Jesus’ call to follow Him and live according to His teachings in every aspect of our lives, including our civic engagement. We must support life not only in our hearts, but also through our actions. Learn more about important considerations for Catholics in “Priorities at the Polls.”
Day 3
By the age of 45, as many as 1 in 4 women have had an abortion, and a similar number of men and family members have been involved. Many suffer for years in silence, yet Christ desires nothing more than to offer them the fullness of His forgiveness and healing. If you or someone you know is suffering from participation in abortion, confidential and compassionate help is available. Visit HopeAfterAbortion.org to be connected to a ministry near you.
Day 4
Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our communities, often alone without a network of support. As Catholics, we are called to lovingly support mothers in welcoming and caring for their children. Moms in need should see the Catholic Church as a place they can come for compassionate assistance and accompaniment on the journey of motherhood. Visit WalkingWithMoms.com to learn more about the Church’s efforts to increase support for mothers and their children—and how your parish can participate.
Day 5
In a culture that so often judges our worth based on what we can do, produce, or achieve, the beauty of a life lived with disabilities can be difficult to understand. Yet, God assures us that every human life is a precious gift, filled with inherent value, dignity, and worth. A mother of a child with Down syndrome shares her personal experience, witnessing the beauty of life in all circumstances in “A Perfect Gift.”
Day 6
In 2020, the Vatican released the letter Samaritanus bonus, “on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life.” The letter reaffirms the Church’s teaching on care for those who are critically ill or dying and offers additional guidance for increasingly complex situations at the end of life. Learn more about how we are called to care for those who are seriously ill or nearing death in “The Witness of the Good Samaritan: Palliative Care and Hospice.”
Day 8
For people committed to upholding the sanctity of human life, the need to respect and protect innocent human life is apparent. For some, however, issues like the death penalty may seem less clear. Find answers to common questions about the death penalty from a Catholic perspective in, “Death Penalty: Catholic Q&A.”
