2024 RESPECT LIFE MONTH
RESOURCES
PAGE CONTENTS
In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. To support these annual observances, the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it.
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The following materials are designed to be brought to life as tools in your hands. These resources may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry.
Chairman's Statement
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, calls on Catholics to renew their commitment to the legal protection of human life, to support policies and service ministries that assist mothers, and to extend compassion to those suffering from participation in abortion.
(Available in English and Spanish.)
Webinar
This introductory overview gives easy ideas for celebrating Respect Life Month in your parish in October.
USCCB staff walk through the 2024 Respect Life materials, as well as the perennial Respect Life Month Action Guide.
Leaders' Toolkits
Use these leaders' toolkits to help celebrate Respect Life Month in your specific area of ministry. Ideas and suggestions are provided for using the resources in a range of settings.
(Webpages are in English but provide resources that are available in both English and Spanish.)
Respect Life Month Novena
October 22-30, 2024
This novena prays for the protection of human life, from conception to natural death. Each day of the novena features a different pro-life prayer intention which is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life.
(Available in English and Spanish.)
Poster
The 2024 Respect Life poster features the Eucharist and Jesus’ message in John 10:10, “I came so that they might have life.” The placement of “Respect Life” beneath the verse conveys that Jesus’ message and our response to it inherently include respect for human life. The design also reflects the importance of grounding efforts on behalf of life in the Eucharist.
(Available in English and Spanish. If you need a different file format or have any issues, please contact prolife@usccb.org.)
A Prayer for Life
to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
This prayer invokes the power of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to help us defend the gift of human life at all stages. It is available as a prayer card featuring Jesus’ message in John 10:10, “I came so that they might have life.”
(Available in English and Spanish.)
Reflection
"I came so that they might have life."​
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This short reflection unpacks the Eucharistic theme, highlighting how Catholics are called to be lights in the darkness.
The reflection can be used as the basis for a homily or talk, shared in parish bulletins, printed in your diocesan paper, and included in newsletters. It could also be used as the basis for small group discussions at parish pro-life meetings, in a high school religion class, or simply among friends. Consider sharing the webpage version on social media.
(Available in English and Spanish.)
Graphics
Images are provided in a variety of formats and dimensions and can be downloaded directly for use on parish/diocesan websites and in bulletins and newsletters. (Guidelines)
(Available in English and Spanish.)
October Word of Life
Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes that includes special features, intercessions for life, bulletin quotes, bulletin art, and more. The October edition features resources for Respect Life Month.
(Available in English and Spanish.)
You can also sign up to receive the monthly Word of Life directly to your inbox.
(Available in English and Spanish.)