Intercessions and Reflections for Day six of the Novena for life focusing on Mothers Choosing Adoption
May expectant mothers choosing foster care or adoption and those in the process of either receive grace and support in embracing this loving option for life.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Mothers placing their children into foster care or adoption often face challenges such as having to let their child go. But mothers who make an adoption plan or consider foster care for their children are not letting their children go without difficulty, rather, they are exemplifying the sacrificial love of Christ on the Cross in choosing to do what is best for their children, even at a great cost to themselves. Like Christ, they pour out their bodies and souls for the sake of another. We also consider those parents who through their generosity of spirit are ready to embrace a new life through adoption or foster care.
Today let us reflect on Saint Joseph’s role as the foster-father of Jesus. The evangelists Matthew and Luke present him as the foster father of Jesus, and not as his biological father. Joseph shows us that this type of bond is not an afterthought. This kind of choice is among the highest forms of love, and of fatherhood and motherhood. How many children in the world are waiting for someone to take care of them! And how many married couples want to be fathers and mothers but are unable to do so for biological reasons; or, although they already have children, they want to share their family’s affection with those who do not have it. We should not be afraid to choose the path of adoption or foster care.
The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that, in the face of fears and trials, we can “hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm” (Heb 6:18-19). We pray that each expectant mother choosing foster care or adoption will be filled with “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7) as she makes a loving choice for her child. Let us all cling fast to the anchor of hope, for we have received “a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Rom 8:15).
Consider offering a prayer intention to console the hearts and minds of the mothers who have had to make this difficult decision.
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Intercessions and Reflections provided by Pray for Life
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The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
The Hail Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning
is now, and ever shall be
world without end. Amen.
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