What is Respect Life Month?
Since 1973, when the Supreme Court legalized abortion with the historic Roe. vs. Wade ruling, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed “Respect Life Month.” Every October the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday.
As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning to the end of their lives, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.
I Came So That They Might Have Life
During the Easter Vigil liturgy, the single flame of the Easter candle shines through the darkness. That small flame spreads as each person’s candle is lit and the light of Christ is shared with others. Before we know it, the entire Church is ablaze with the warm glow of candlelight and the darkness has been vanquished.
We are each called by God to be that light of Christ that breaks through the darkness. We are called to be his disciples, continually transformed by our encounter with him and sharing in his mission. Jesus came that we might have life.
Respecting Human Life & Dignity
When outlining legislative principles, the Iowa Catholic Conference defined the topic of human life & dignity as such:
"The Iowa Catholic Conference holds the protection of human life and dignity as a foundational principle, including limitations on late-term and “webcam” abortions. We see human life as priceless and belonging to God.
This leads us to other important concerns. We say “life AND dignity.” Human dignity means those things that are necessary for a genuinely human life: food and water, clean air, shelter, clothing, education, health care, peace and security, a place to work. These are the goods we hold in common with each other, and access in a similar way."
With this definition in mind we will be looking at Respect Life month as an opportunity to promote a holistic approach to being pro-life. While abortion is a top priority in this battle, it is not the only place where we are called to respect human life & dignity.
Respect Life Month Resources
| Respect Life Month Activities |
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Below are resources and activities for participating in Respect Life Month. You can find more resources at respectlife.org/celebrate
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