Respect Life Month

Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 - Monday, Oct. 31, 2022

Location: All Parishes - Nationwide
Contact: Catherine Phillips
Phone: (501) 664-0340, ext. 326

Respect Life Program Toolkit

Click on the button above to download national resources, or read this month's Respect Life Newsletter from Catherine Phillips, director of respect life for the Diocese of Little Rock, to help you observe Respect Life Month in your parish, school or ministry. 

Each October, Catholics in the United States observe Respect Life Month to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. It begins on Respect Life Sunday, which this year is Oct. 2. Catholics in Arkansas take part in events throughout the month, including Life Chain and 40 Days for Life, to put their faith into prayer and action.

In addition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) assists parishes, schools and other ministries in helping Catholics understand, value and become engaged with building a culture that cherishes every human life through its annual Respect Life Program, which is a year-round, nationwide effort that kicks off each year on Respect Life Sunday.

This year's theme is: "Called to Serve Moms in Need," based on the USCCB initiative, "Walking with Moms in Need," which was launched on the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, "Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life"). Walking with Moms in Need "offers educational, pastoral and action-oriented resources to help parishes go to the peripheries and bring hope and help to mothers in need. Through the combined efforts of parishes nationwide, we hope to move closer to the day when every pregnant mother in need knows where to turn for help and abortion is unthinkable."

Also available for reflection is: "Building a Culture of Life in a Post-Roe World," this year's Respect Life Month statement from Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities. "Dobbs, then, is a victory for justice, the rule of law, and self-governance. But for those of us who have prayed for this moment to arrive, it is the time for a renewal and rededication of our efforts to build a culture of life and civilization of love. Justice is, of course, essential to this end. But it is not sufficient. To build a world in which all are welcome requires not only justice, but compassion, healing, and above all, unconditional love."

"We must live and act in radical solidarity with mothers, children and families in need. That means doing whatever we can through law, policy, politics and culture to provide them with the care and support necessary for their flourishing throughout the entire arc of life’s journey. Through our collective and individual actions, we can build a culture of life and civilization of love in America. Let us begin," he concluded. Read the statement in English or Spanish.

To learn more about integrating the Respect Life Program into your parish, school or ministry in Arkansas, read this month's Respect Life Newsletter from Catherine Phillips, respect life director for the Diocese of Little Rock, or contact her at (501) 664-0340, ext. 326.

A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers

The following prayer may be downloaded in English and Spanish. It is from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"O Blessed Mother, you received the good news of the incarnation of Christ, your Son, with faith and trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties. Guide us as we strive to make our parish communities places of welcome and assistance for mothers in need. Help us become instruments of God’s love and compassion. Mary, Mother of the Church, graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life. Amen."