Bishops’ Council for Life launches third annual Pray For Life Novena

23 May 2024

  • Bishop Kevin Doran: “We pray not only for women and their babies, but we also for ourselves, that we may be renewed in our courage and our confidence in being advocates for life, and in our capacity to inspire others to do the same” 

The Council for Life of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has today launched a Pray For Life Novena which will run from today, Thursday 23 May until Friday 31 May, which falls on the  Feast of the Visitation.  The Pray For Life Novena, and its associated website Pray For Life – Novena May 23rd – 31st, will give people an opportunity be an active part of this initiative to pray for the protection of human life and to build a culture of life.  The Council for Life is inviting people to sign up on prayforlife.ie to receive the daily prayers and actions that will focus on themes such as expectant Mothers and Fathers, unborn Children, for those who defend life and for an end to abortion.  
 
Launching the Pray For Life Novena, Bishop Kevin Doran, chair of the Council for Life, said, “writing about the Our Father, the Latin-American theologian Gustavo Gutierez commented that, if we pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ with sincerity, it requires us to be committed to working here on earth to bring about that reign of God.”

Bishop Doran continued, “as we embark on our third annual Pray for Life Novena, we form a community of prayer, whether online or in person.  We pray not only for women and their babies, but also for ourselves, that we may be renewed in our courage and our confidence in being advocates for life, and in our capacity to inspire others to do the same.”
 
ENDS

Notes for Editors
  • The Council For Life is an initiative of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.  It promotes the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity and value of every human life.  The Council offers dioceses, parishes and members of the faithful pro-life material and resources to encourage discussion in families on the value of every human life.
  • A novena refers to nine days of prayer, asking God for a specific intention, often through a Saint’s intercession.  The word novena is derived from the Latin word for nine, or novem.  Many of the most popular and widely-prayed novenas begin or end on a Saint’s Feast Day.
  • You can follow the Pray For Life Novena on social media by using the hashtag #PrayForLife and by following @PrayforLife_ie on X; Pray for Life Novena Ireland on Facebook; Pray for Life Novena on Instagram
  • You can also join the Pray For Life Novena on Pray For Life – Novena May 23rd – 31st and receive a daily email.  Each email is GDPR compliant and provides an unsubscribe button for when the Novena concludes.