From Evangelium Vitae (25)

In the name of the Father.........

The blood of Christ, while it reveals the grandeur of the Father's love, shows how precious man is in God's eyes and how priceless the value of his life. The Apostle Peter reminds us of this: "You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Pt 1:18-19).

Precisely by contemplating the precious blood of Christ, the sign of his self-giving love (cf. Jn 13:1), the believer learns to recognize and appreciate the almost divine dignity of every human being and can exclaim with ever renewed and grateful wonder: "How precious must man be in the eyes of the Creator, if he ‘gained so great a Redeemer’ (Exultet of the Easter Vigil), and if God ‘gave his only Son’ in order that man ‘should not perish but have eternal life' (cf. Jn 3:16)!" Furthermore, Christ's blood reveals to man that his greatness, and therefore his vocation, consists in the sincere gift of self. Precisely because it is poured out as the gift of life, the blood of Christ is no longer a sign of death, of definitive separation from the brethren, but the instrument of a communion which is richness of life for all. Whoever in the Sacrament of the Eucharist drinks this blood and abides in Jesus (cf. Jn 6:56) is drawn into the dynamism of his love and gift of life, in order to bring to its fullness the original vocation to love which belongs to everyone (cf. Gen 1:27; 2:18-24). It is from the blood of Christ that all draw the strength to commit themselves to promoting life. It is precisely this blood that is the most powerful source of hope, indeed it is the foundation of the absolute certitude that in God's plan life will be victorious. "And death shall be no more," exclaims the powerful voice which comes from the throne of

God in the Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21:4). And Saint Paul assures us that the present victory over sin is a sign and anticipation of the definitive victory over death, when the word that is written shall come about: "Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

(1 Cor 15:54-55).

Lord, have mercy. R... Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. R... Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy.

The response to the following is : R... Lord, you give us life!

You breathed life into Adam

R... Lord, you give us life!

You formed Eve from flesh Gn 2:7

R... Lord, you give us life!

You heard the cry of innocent blood Gn 9:5-6

R...Lord, you give us life!

You spared the life of Cain Gn 4:16

R. Lord, you give us life!

You saved Noah from the flood Gn 8:16

R... Lord, you give us life!

You filled Sarah's barren womb Gn 21:2

R... Lord, you give us life!

You gave Abraham a son Gn 21:3

R... Lord, you give us life!

You preserved the life of Jacob Gn 32:31

R... Lord, you give us life!

You punished those who took life Nm 35:31

R... Lord, you give us life!

You place before us life and death Dt 30:19

R... Lord, you give us life!

You restore lost life Ru 4:14

R... Lord, you give us life!

You nourish the aged and weak Ru 4:14

R... Lord, you give us life!

You delivered Saul from David 1 Sm 26:22-24

R... Lord, you give us life!

You redeemed the life of David 2 Sm 4:9

R... Lord, you give us life!

You gave Solomon length of days 1 Kgs 3:14

R... Lord, you give us life!

You raised the child by Elijah's cry 1 Kgs 17:21-22

R.. Lord, you give us life!

You are the Life that is the light of men. Jn 1:14

R.. Lord, you give us life!

You are the bread of Life Jn 6:35

R.. Lord, you give us life!

You have the words of eternal life Jn 6:68

R.. Lord, you give us life!

You are the resurrection and the life Jn 11:25

R.. Lord, you give us life!

You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life Jn 14:6

R.. Lord, you give us life!

A few moments of silence

2 Timothy 2:8-15

Leader

A few moments of silence

A LITANY FOR LIFE

A Reading from Paul’s letter to Timothy

Beloved:

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal.

But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.

This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.

The word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

A few moments of silence

Psalm 25

R.

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;

thus he shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble to justice,

he teaches the humble his way.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy

toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,

and his covenant, for their instruction.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

15 minutes silent meditation

Litany of the Sacred Heart

Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison

Christe Eleison, Christe Eleison,

Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, our Father in heaven,

have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, One God,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, united in substance to the Word of God,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God, have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High One,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, wellspring of all virtues,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, in whose fullness we have all received,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke you,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, victim of sins,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in you,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you,

have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints,

have mercy on us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

spare us, Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

graciously hear us O Lord

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world

have mercy on us

Jesus, meek and humble of heart

Make our hearts like to yours.

Together Let us pray,

God our loving Father, grant wisdom to those who govern us, compassion and courage to those who work to defend human life, and safety and care to every human being. For you alone who formed us in our mother's wombs, and who call us home to heaven, are God, for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN: O Sacred Heart O Love Divine

1...

O Sacred Heart O Love Divine Do keep us near to Thee

And make our love so like to Thine That we may holy be.

Chorus

Heart of Jesus hear O heart of love Divine,

Listen to our prayer, Make us always Thine.

2...

O Temple pure O House of Gold our heaven here below.

What sweet delights what wealth untold, From Thee do ever flow.

3..

O Wounded Heart, O Font of tears! O Throne of grief and pain!

Whereon for the eternal years, Thy love for man does reign.

4....

Ungrateful hearts, forgetful hearts, The hearts of man have been,

To wound Thy side with cruel darts Which they have made by sin

A few moments of silence

Prayers for life

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

God of all creation. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, through whom all things were made. Lord, have mercy.

Spirit of life and truth Lord, have mercy.

On each child just conceived. Lord, have mercy.

For their safety and health Lord, have mercy.

For nine months of growth Lord, have mercy.

That an angel may protect them, Lord, have mercy.

For peace and for hope, Lord, have mercy.

On all new fathers, Lord, have mercy.

On fathers who are alone, Lord, have mercy.

On fathers unemployed, Lord, have mercy.

On fathers addicted, Lord, have mercy.

On fathers who are abusive, Lord, have mercy.

On young fathers who are afraid, Lord, have mercy.

On fathers who've run away, Lord, have mercy.

On all new mothers, Lord, have mercy.

On mothers who are alone, Lord, have mercy.

On mothers unemployed, Lord, have mercy.

On mothers addicted, Lord, have mercy.

On mothers who are abusive, Lord, have mercy.

On young mothers who are afraid, Lord, have mercy.

On mothers who are in pain, Lord, have mercy.

On those who defend life, Lord, have mercy.

On those who love the child in the womb, Lord, have mercy.

On those who pray for the unborn child, Lord, have mercy.

On all who work to change unjust laws, Lord, have mercy.

On all who live the Gospel of Life, Lord, have mercy.

On Politicians who work for life, Lord, have mercy.

On our Prime Minister, Lord, have mercy.

On all who work for life, Lord, have mercy.

On doctors of life and of truth, Lord, have mercy.

On doctors who gaze on life's mysteries, Lord, have mercy.

On physicians who see into the womb, Lord, have mercy.

On surgeons who heal the unborn child, Lord, have mercy.

On all who defend the child in the womb, Lord, have mercy.

On nurses who love little babies, Lord, have mercy.

On nursing students, Lord, have mercy.

On those who first hear the heartbeat, Lord, have mercy.

On those who first feel a kick, Lord, have mercy.

On nurses who cradle the newborn, Lord, have mercy.

On nurses who foster the unborn, Lord, have mercy.

On all who protect defenseless life, Lord, have mercy.

On judges who struggle with justice, Lord, have mercy.

On lawyers who seek to speak truth, Lord, have mercy.

On judges who love life, Lord, have mercy.

On the judges of our Supreme Court, Lord, have mercy.

On those who argue before them, Lord, have mercy.

On the unborn child who rests in their hands, Lord, have mercy.

On those who perform abortions, Lord have mercy.

On those who support abortion, Lord have mercy.

On all victims of abortion, Lord, have mercy.

On the woman whose memories cause her to cry, Lord, have mercy.

On those whose pain nags and holds on, Lord, have mercy.

On the unborn who rest with God, Lord, have mercy.

On all who seek mercy, Lord, have mercy.

On all who seek peace, Lord, have mercy.

Period of silence till the end of the hour