27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Respect Life Sunday, October 6, 2024
On this day, we come to the Father praying for life: the life of the Church being invigorated by the Synod, the lives of all impacted by war, and the lives of the born and unborn that cry out for respect.
- That the Church may begin the Synod on Synodality with the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that the deliberations will enable the Church to humbly carry out the will of God. We pray to the Lord.
- That all nations engaged in conflicts will know that the path to true peace is not found along the roads of escalating hostilities. We pray to the Lord.
- That the sacrament of matrimony will be embraced always as a source of grace through which those joined together reflect God’s love in the way they honor each other. We pray to the Lord.
- That our respect for life may be evident in the way we treat the weak, the poor, the downtrodden, and all whose lives need support and encouragement. We pray to the Lord.
- That our society may promote a passion for relentlessly seeking truth and for faith that calls us to question our actions rather than merely looking for comfort that closes us in on ourselves.[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That “in this dramatic hour of our history while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations [may we remember our call as Christians to] put ourselves at the service of humanity.”[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That we may note the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on Monday through prayers and fasting for peace, and by kindness offered to those we encounter who annoy us. We pray to the Lord.
- That as our nation prepares for the election, may this month be marked by civil discourse, appreciation of the freedom we enjoy, and commitment to service rather than self-interest by all candidates. We pray to the Lord.
- That those suffering from Hurricane Helene whose lives have been torn apart may be relieved of their anxieties by compassionate care that gives them hope. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who have been maimed by the weapons of war may be healed such that they may live happy, productive, and contented lives. We pray to the Lord.
- That the deceased who have died on roadsides, under rubble, or abandoned may enjoy eternal rest with all the angels and saints. We pray to the Lord.
O God, during this month dedicated to respect for all human life, may we honor your life among us and act in ways that express our gratitude for life and love. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Based on remarks of Pope Francis to professors at the Catholic University of Leuven, September 27, 2024
[2] Based on remarks of Pope Francis after the Mass opening the second session of the General Assembly of the Synod, as he called for October 7 to be a day of prayer and fasting. October 2, 2024.
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