Bishop David M. O’Connell C.M. released the following statement yesterday on the national call to prayer for the protection of human life:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Office has invited all the archdioceses and dioceses of the United States to join together in common prayer and action to promote the Church’s Pro-Life efforts. To that end, the USCCB has asked that each Friday from Aug. 3 to Sept. 28 be a time of “prayer and, when possible, fasting for life.” The USCCB is recommending praying ONE OUR FATHER, ONE HAIL MARY, ONE GLORY BE for the intention of life from conception to natural death on each of those Fridays. Here is another beautiful prayer that can be recited, not only on Fridays but also every day:
O God, our Creator, all life is in your hands from conception until death. Help us to cherish our children and to reverence the awesome privilege of our share in creation. May all people live and die in dignity and love. Bless all those who defend the rights of the unborn, the handicapped and the aged. Enlighten and be merciful toward those who fail to love, and give them peace. Let freedom be tempered by responsibility, integrity and morality. We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.
It’s National Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week!
Natural Family Planning Awareness Week is a national educational campaign developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Each year, individual dioceses offer a variety of educational opportunities to focus attention on Natural Family Planning methods and Church teachings which support their use in marriage.