“A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world… Let us… discover anew the humility and courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life. May this same power turn their hearts to resolutions and goals inspired by the civilization of life and love.” (John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae #100)
- Today in New Zealand, is Respect Life Sunday. In addition to attending Holy Mass or your usual Church service spend further time in prayer for the cause of life.
How to Pray the Pro-Life Rosary
(May be said on a regular rosary, too)
The Crucifix: Lord, for all those who say “I don’t believe”, I say “I believe in God”. Continue saying the Creed.
Our Father (Clear or white beads) Offer the first Our Father for the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope.
3 Hail Mary’s (purple: represents the Lord’s Passion and Death)
Pray: Lord, I offer these 3 Hail Mary’s for an increase in Faith, Hope, and Love in all people so that all people will always choose life, and I also offer them in reparation for the suffering You endure each time an unborn baby is killed, each time someone is euthanized, each time death overcomes life in this world. Amen. (Then continue with saying the 3 Hail Mary’s)
First Decade (Aqua-Blue and Clear or White beads)
State the Mystery of the day
Pray: Dear Lord, Dear Mother Mary, every aqua bead in this decade is special, for on it I pray that ‘Hail Mary’ for the intentions of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and on every clear or white bead, I say that ‘Hail Mary’ for Peace in our world. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on us! Mary, Queen of Peace, pray of us! Amen. (Then continue with the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be)
Second Decade (Red and clear or white beads)
State the Mystery of the day
Pray: Jesus, Source of Mercy; Mary Bearer of Mercy, on every “red” ‘Hail Mary’, I pray in reparation for the blood spilled from every baby wrenched from its mother’s womb through abortion. I know that even as you hold and comfort each of these precious little ones, the horror of their slaughter screams for justice to be meted out upon our world. May these “red” ‘Hail Mary’s’ be a source of reparation for our sin. I also offer each “white/clear” ‘Hail Mary’ for the mothers and fathers of these aborted little ones, that they may receive the grace to repent of this sin, turn to Jesus, and receive the gift of salvation with open hearts. Heal them of the emotional and psychological wounds that this sin has caused as you pour out the graces of conversion upon them. Let them now witness for life! Amen. (Then continue with the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be)
Third Decade (Black and clear or white beads) The black beads symbolize the entire medical profession that participates in pro-death activities: all doctors, nurses, and assistants, helpers of every type that contribute to abortion, euthanasia, anti-life practices of every sort. Every clear or white ‘Hail Mary’ is for their conversion, repentance, and courage in standing against this crimson tide of death!
State the Mystery of the day
Pray: Lord Jesus; Mother Mary, in this decade I offer reparation for all the sins of the medical personnel that act in the interest of death in our society and in our world. I plead also for their conversion to your truth. Let them see the truth of what they are doing, see the horror of it, rend their hearts in repentance, then work for Life and for You, Jesus, all the rest of their days. Amen. (Then continue with the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be)
Fourth Decade (Red, clear or white, and blue beads)
State the Mystery of the day
Pray: Lord Jesus, Source of All Truth; Mary, Our Lady of All Peoples with every “red” ‘Hail Mary’ I pray that every bad, anti-life law in our nation and world be reversed. With every “clear/white” ‘Hail Mary’ I petition for new and strong pro-life laws to be enacted in our nation and in your world. Amen.
(Then continue with the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be)
Fifth Decade (Green and clear or white beads) Green is symbolic of hope. Our Hope is Jesus Christ and the Life in the Holy Spirit He offers to us if we but receive it. Because of our hope in Jesus we have faith that one day our hope for mercy justice, truth, peace, and life will be fully realized.
State the Mystery of the day
Pray: Lord Jesus, I thank You for your incarnation in our human flesh. You were formed in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Your humanity at the moment of your conception gives us, each and every one, humanity at the moment of your conception. Had Satan had His way, You too would have been torn from your mother’s womb, never to be born, and never to fulfill your destiny in the particular manner in which You did fulfill it. On every “green” ‘Hail Mary’ I thank You for those who in any way work for life. Give them continued courage, strength, peace of heart, and love. Protect them from all evil and increase their witness in this nation and in this world. Strengthen their families to understand the importance of their work and to support them in their stand for life. Mother Mary, our mother, under the titles of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Perpetual Help, Queen of Peace, join us in our intercession for the end of all pro-death, pro-choice activities. Crush the head of evil in our nation, our world, and in our personal lives. Roll back the crimson holocaust. With every “clear/white” ‘Hail Mary’ of this decade advance the cause of your Divine Son, Jesus, the Incarnate Word! Stay the hand of Chastisement, and if it must fall – Protect your children. Amen. (Then continue with the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be, followed by the Hail Holy Queen)