Intercessions for Life
August 1999
For all who are worn down by life's cares,
that our hearts may be moved with pity
to promptly meet the needs of their bodies and spirits;
We pray to the Lord:
For all fathers,
especially those who are young and confused,
that the strength and wisdom of God,
might help them always to do his will;
We pray to the Lord:
For a growing love of obedience,
that we may accept Christ as the author of life
and assist both expectant mothers
and those with young children in their precious task;
We pray to the Lord:
For married couples,
that their witness of faithful love
may inspire and strengthen the hearts of all young people;
We pray to the Lord:
That Christ may welcome home to paradise
all who, like himself, have been unjustly condemned to death,
especially all children who have died by abortion;
We pray to the Lord:
All children have the natural, inalienable right to have their own family, parents, brothers and sisters, among whom they come to the realization that they are persons needing love and capable of loving others.
—John Paul II, June 14 Homily at Lowicz
God has given you [parents] a special vocation. To preserve human life on earth, he instituted the family. You are the first guardians and protectors of the life which is not yet come into the world but is already conceived. Accept the gift of life as the greatest grace from God, as his blessing for the family, for the nation and for the Church.
—John Paul II, June 14 Homily at Lowicz
From this place I say to all fathers and mothers of my homeland and of the whole world, to all men and women without exception: every child conceived in the womb of its mother has the right to life! I repeat once again what I have already said many times: "Human life is sacred. No one, under any circumstance, can claim for himself the right to directly destroy an innocent human being. God is absolute Lord of man's life, created in His image and likeness. Human life, therefore, has a sacred and inviolable character which reflects the very inviolability of the Creator."
—John Paul II, June 14 Homily at Lowicz
Since parents give life to their own children, they have the right to be recognized as the first and principal educators. They also have the duty to create a family atmosphere, filled with love and respect for God and neighbor, which favors the personal and social education of their children. What a great task the mother has! Thanks to the particularly deep bond which unites her to her child, she can draw her child close to Christ and the Church in an effective way.
—John Paul II, June 14 Homily at Lowicz