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.

This year’s theme is “Live the Gospel of Life.”  The theme was chosen as the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of the pro-life encyclical Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life).  This encyclical was written by Pope St. John Paul II.  It reaffirmed the Church’s constant teaching on the value and sacredness of every human life. Read the encyclical here: http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html   

This short reflection unpacks the 2020-21 Respect Life theme, “Live the Gospel of Life.” It explores how Jesus becoming man and redeeming us through his humanity reveals the dignity of all human life and how the Gospel of life is therefore essential to our identity as followers of Christ.

Respect Life Reflection English https://www.usccb.org/resources/rlp-20-reflection.pdf

Respect Life Reflection Spanish   https://www.usccb.org/resources/rlp-20-reflection-spa.pdf

Respect Life articles from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops https://www.respectlife.org/articles