"Moved by Mercy" | October is Respect Life Month

Each year, October is designated as Respect Life Month by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This year’s theme, "Moved by Mercy", draws on a quote from Pope Francis when he called for the Jubilee Year of Mercy: "We are called to show mercy because mercy has been shown to us."

The first Sunday of October is Respect Life Sunday. It kicks off a yearlong pro-life program for the U.S. Catholic Church highlighting human dignity and the need to protect, defend and cherish all persons. The USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities has prepared a packet for the 2016-2017 program containing materials and resources that can be downloaded in English and Spanish.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities stated: "Every person is sacred and must be treated with the dignity they deserve. No one should ever be treated callously or carelessly — everyone should be cherished and protected!" He added:

From each tiny child waiting to be born, to individuals nearing death, all are precious and deserve our care and protection. Women and men suffering after abortion, individuals tempted to end their lives, couples longing to conceive a child, people pushed to the margins of society by a "throwaway culture," expectant mothers facing challenging pregnancies, and every other person — each "has a place in God’s heart from all eternity."

Pope Francis in the encyclical Amoris Laetitia, explains: "From each tiny child waiting to be born, to individuals nearing death, all are precious and deserve our care and protection. Women and men suffering after abortion, individuals tempted to end their lives, couples longing to conceive a child, people pushed to the margins of society by a 'throwaway culture,' expectant mothers facing challenging pregnancies, and every other person — each 'has a place in God's heart from all eternity'" (Amoris Laetitia, 168).

Let us ask God to make us channels of his loving mercy: Lord, help us to receive your mercy and turn to you each moment. And please guide us in extending your mercy to others today.