DEACON FOR LIFE

Were there to be no support in the whole history of ethical and moral thought, were there no acknowledged confirmation from medical science, were the history of legal opinion to the contrary, we would still have to conclude on the basis of God's Holy Word that the unborn child is a person in the sight of God. He is protected by the sanctity of life graciously given to each individual by the Creator, Who alone places His image upon man and grants them any right to life which they have.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

9 Days for Life: Day Eight

DAY EIGHT January 24, 2015

Intercession

For an end to all domestic violence.

Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

"A correct reading of Scripture leads people to an understanding of the equal dignity of men and women and to relationships based on mutuality and love. Beginning with Genesis, Scripture teaches that women and men are created in God's image."

- "When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women," USCCB 2002

Acts of Reparation (choose one)

Do you love your cup of tea or coffee in the morning? Fast from caffeine today, or try your coffee black.

Learn how to pray the Angelus prayer, and consider saying it every day -- on awakening, at noon, or at 6 p.m. (or all three times).

Give up your favorite form (or all forms) of social media for the day. Spend some of the extra time meditating upon a Scripture verse or passage.

One Step Further

Three in four Americans are reported to know a victim of domestic violence. Learn to recognize some of the signs in "Life Matters: Domestic Violence," which discusses the painful assault on human dignity that is domestic violence. (See also: "Domestic Violence." Other resources are available at www.bit.ly/USCCBDomesticViolence.)

If you believe someone you know may be in a troubled situation, you should call a hotline number for assistance, or encourage the person to do so themselves: (911, the local hotline, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) / TTY 1-800-787-3224. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also has video phone capabilities for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and live chat capabilities for anyone to use: www.thehotline.org/help.)

Image: A mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe decorates a side altar in the Church of Santa Maria della Famiglia at the Vatican. Dec. 15. (CNS photo/Paul Haring).

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