Intercessions and Reflections for Day two of the Novena for life focusing on Expectant Fathers
May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Fatherhood has its origins in God, who chose to reveal Himself to us as Our Father, sending his only Son for the sake of our salvation. Fathers therefore have a special role “in revealing and in reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God” (Familiaris consortio 25). Fathers are called to exhibit “generous responsibility for the life conceived under the heart of the mother” (FC 25). They are uniquely entrusted with the protection and defence of both mother and child and, in this way, in safeguarding the sanctity of human life.
As evidenced in our world today, the role of the father “is of unique and irreplaceable importance” (FC 25). Often women choose abortion because they do not have the support of the child’s father, or — even worse — the father of the child pressures her to make the decision to abort. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge with compassion that men can also be overwhelmed by an unexpected pregnancy and that society increasingly tells them that they should have no say in their children’s lives. In the face of these false messages, we pray that expectant fathers will find courage in the example of Saint Joseph — who embraced the role of father amid difficult circumstances — and offer loving, life-affirming support to the mothers of their children.
To mark the opening of the Year of St Joseph in 2020, Pope Francis wrote a beautiful apostolic letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart). In it the Holy Father tells us that “fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child.” Read this article St Joseph: Dads Make a Difference by Joe McKeown from the March 2022 Issue of Intercom Magazine, on how to be a ‘creatively courageous father’ – and consider sharing it.
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Day three – The End of Abortion
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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.
Intercessions and Reflections for Day seven of the Novena for life
Intercessions and Reflections for Day one Novena for life
Intercessions and Reflections for Day five of the Novena for life
A novena with a prayers taken from St John Paul II’s encyclical letter ‘The Gospel of Life’.
