Respect Life Month October 2026 Pray with us!

Each October the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would conceive and bear a son, Mary responded with her fiat, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Mary conceives Christ in her womb, becoming the mother of God, the mother of Jesus. Jesus himself tells us that he is “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). In becoming the mother of Jesus, Mary becomes the mother of life. Mary’s acceptance in this unforeseen moment demonstrates how each of us must welcome the gift of new human life, even when that gift is unexpected or calls us to make sacrifices.

Eve was called the “mother of all the living” (Gen 3:20).  Unfortunately, her disobedience brought sin into the world.  In contrast Mary, through her obedience to God, gives birth to our Salvation. Mary becomes the New Eve—the new mother of all the living. Her fiat gives us an example of perfect docility and cooperation with the will of God.

Oh Mary, “Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life.” 

Evangelium vitae

At the Annunciation, when Mary learns that her elderly cousin Elizabeth is six months pregnant, she travels in haste to visit Elizabeth, spending the next three months at her side, even while pregnant herself. In her selfless service to Elizabeth, the Blessed Mother perfectly models how we are called to accompany expectant mothers as they prepare to welcome new life into the world.

Mary’s role as the Mother of Life extends from the Annunciation all the way to the Crucifixion. On Calvary, Mary stands at the foot of the Cross with Saint John. The Gospel tells us: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (Jn 19:26-27).

With his final breaths on the Cross, Jesus entrusts Mary and the Beloved Disciple to one another, and by extension establishes a maternal relationship between Mary and the Church. Jesus’ words are addressed not only to Saint John, but to each one of us. In this moment, the physical mother of Jesus becomes the spiritual mother of the Church and all the faithful. Saint John goes on to take Mary into his home and cares for her as she advances in age, demonstrating our responsibility to continue our care for human life, from conception to natural death. Mary, who taught us how to nurture human life, becomes the recipient of that same honor and care.

The life of the Blessed Mother teaches us to respect each human life in every stage and circumstance. Mary is our model for upholding the sanctity of all human life. O Mary, “Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life.”[1]

[1] Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae, 105.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2026, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Life

The Response is: Mary, pray for us.

Mary, Mother of all Life,help us to respect human life from the moment of conceptionto the moment of natural death. R.

Mary, Mother of Compassion,You showed us how valuable a single life can be;Help us to guard and protect the lives of all people entrusted to our care. R.

Mary, Mother of the Child Jesus,with St. Joseph you formed the Holy Family.Guard and protect all families in this earthly life; R.

Mary, Mother Most Holy,You sanctified the vocation of motherhood;Pour out your heavenly aid on all mothers and help them to be holy. R.

Mary, Mother of Sorrows,Simeon’s prophecy foretold that a sword of suffering would pierce your heart;Bring comfort and hope to all mothers who suffer over their children. R.

Mary, Full of Grace,You had a choice in responding to God’s call;Help us always to say “Yes” to the will of God in our lives,And strive always to do whatever he tells us. R.

Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted,Gather within your motherly mantle all who are in need of God’s healing,Especially those who have been involved in abortion;Help them to experience the love and mercy of Christ, your Son. R.

Mary, Intercessor and Advocate,We lift up the poor, the displaced, the marginalized and vulnerable members of society;Help them to never abandon hope, but to place their trust in the God who gave them life. R.

Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, you bore in your womb him whom the heavens cannot contain;Help us to bear witness to Christ by the example of our livesAnd show the world the extravagant love of God. R.

All:

Remember, o most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer them. Amen.