Each year the feast of the Holy Innocents on December 28 reminds us of the fragility of life and the need to protect it at every stage. Besides treating everyone with dignity and fighting for legislation that reflects that fundamental truth, another powerful way to protect life is by invoking the intercession of the saints.
In particular, there are many saints who fought for the most vulnerable in society during their lifetime and retain that special love in heaven.
The USCCB highlights three such saints from the United States and addresses them in a nine-day novena that can be prayed at any time. Each saint was a strong advocate for the forgotten of society and treated each person with the dignity they deserved.
Below is an excerpt of the novena, while the rest can be prayed at the USCCB website.
Saint Elizabeth SetonSaint Elizabeth Seton, you knew the beauty of all human life when you carried a child in your womb and when, as a young widow, a teacher, and founder of the Sisters of Charity, you sought to live the Gospel of Life. Inspire us, intercede for us, and be with us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.You know the sacrament of Holy Matrimony; Teach us to support all families with faith and truth.You know the love of a good spouse; Intercede for all newly married couples.You know the stirring of the child in your womb; Intercede for every unborn child.You know the miracle of giving birth; Pray for mothers tempted by abortion.Saint John NeumannSaint John Neumann,as a loyal son, a faithful priest, and a tireless Bishop,you worked to support and defend life in all its wonder.Intercede for the Church you loved with all your heartthat we may be faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Life.We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Faithful son of faithful parents;Teach us to honor our parents when they grow old.Immigrant and stranger;Inspire us to welcome the rejected of the world.Protector of the young;Inspire us to work for the safety of all children.Saint Frances CabriniSaint Frances Cabrini,In every corner of hemisphereyou sought out those whom everyone had forgotten.Mother of immigrants, friend of orphans, protector of the poor,intercede for us who seek to follow your example.We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Mother of immigrants;Give us a love for the lives of all who are rejected or forgotten.Mother of the oppressed;Inspire us to work for justice and the protection of all life.Mother of the lost;Inspire us to seek out all whose lives are forgotten.
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