October Celebrates Respect for Life and Our Lady of the Rosary

October Celebrates Respect for Life and Our Lady of the Rosary

Some of the bulletin covers, articles, and prayers we will use this month reflect our Catholic tradition of using October as the month to celebrate both our Respect for Life and Our Lady of the Rosary. In fact, today is Respect Life Sunday, calling to mind the dignity of every human life, created in God’s image, which deserves respect from the time of conception until natural death. This respect starts with simple, everyday things: calling someone who is lonely, standing up for someone who is being mocked or devalued, encouraging parents or helping care for their children, or simply looking in the eyes of someone whom people tend to ignore. Then, in times of exceptional hardships surrounding unexpected pregnancies, disabilities, serious physical or mental illness, and the dying process, we are called as a human family – and especially as members of the Body of Christ – to come together to help those bearing these burdens. Collectively we must advocate for these vulnerable sisters and brothers, as we continue to support ministries and other programs that care for them and their loved ones through these difficult times. Personally, when we know or encounter someone facing a life crisis, we need to offer to assist them in finding the support they need, and the dignity and respect they deserve.

It is very fitting that this month also calls us to a closer relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who said yes to bearing the Savior in her womb despite the grave hardships she faced as a young, poor and unwed mother in a culture that offered little support for women or the poor. Meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary help us to spend time with Mary, the greatest of all the saints, as we remember the joyful mysteries she experienced with Jesus, the luminous mysteries through his years of public ministry, the sorrowful mysteries of her son’s death, and the glorious mysteries they share with us as disciples in the age of the Church. I was listening to a talk online that emphasized how powerful it can be to pray the rosary for specific intentions. We often pray for others and ask people to pray for us, so of course we should ask for the prayers of the one who is closest to our Savior. Praying the rosary is like adorning the Blessed Mother with roses (hence the name) as we join our hearts with Jesus and Mary, calling upon her to intercede for us with her son.

May Jesus and Mary draw us deeper into the mystery of life, helping us grow in respect for our own lives, advocacy for every human life, and hope in the eternal life we long to share together in heaven.