Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month! During this season, we celebrate the dignity of the human person through education, outreach, and advocacy efforts. This month, we encourage all to celebrate the dignity of life by promoting care for all of God’s creation.
Catholics are called to protect the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Life Affirming Initiatives in the ADW
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is committed to helping mothers and families thrive. Our pro-life efforts begin at conception and continue throughout the life of the mother and child.
In addition to many commitments to our wider community, the Archdiocese has recognized the need to live out these values by promoting them in our own schools, parishes, and Central Pastoral Administration offices.
Click here to learn about a few of the ways the archdiocese and its parishes work to defend and support human life from the beginning, and assist and offer care for pregnant women, families, and those in need of healing.
local life-affirming initiatives
The Death Penalty and Restorative Justice
Every person is created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore has inalienable dignity — no matter the harm one has caused or suffered. Advancing the culture of life with the teachings of Christ, we reinforce a general respect in our society for human life at every stage and in every condition. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington provides resources to widen the opportunity to effectively teach people about our fundamental respect for human life and dignity.
Catholic Teaching and The Death Penalty
Youth Ministry
The Catholic Youth Organization and Youth Ministry serves children, adolescents and young adults. The organization seeks to foster the personal and spiritual growth of young people in such a way that they will be able to confront the real challenges and sorrows of human life and develop their talents in service of their family, parish and neighborhood.
End of Life Care
Care for the sick at the end of life is a core teaching of the Catholic Church, and a corporal work of mercy. The Office of Life Issues provides resources to help you navigate some of the different traditions and options for end-of-life-care, funeral planning, and the grieving process: https://adw.org/living-the-faith/marriage-family/end-life-care/
Resources from the USCCB
The USCCB has a wealth of resources available for parishes and individuals to download. Visit their website to explore more resources!
Respect Life Month Novena
October 22-30, 2025
This novena prays for the protection of human life, from conception to natural death. Each day of the novena features a different pro-life prayer intention which is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life.
Action Guide
This action guide includes simple steps, sample announcements, activities, and more to help you celebrate Respect Life Month. You are welcome to adapt these resources as needed to fit your specific parish, school, or ministry.
Leaders’ Toolkit
Use these leader toolkits to help celebrate Respect Life Month in your specific area of ministry. Ideas and suggestions are provided for using the resources in a range of settings.
Prayer Card
This prayer reminds us that through the sacrament of Baptism, we have been given the hope of new life in Christ. It is available as a prayer card featuring a stained-glass image of the Baptism of Christ.
Poster
The 2025 Respect Life poster features an image of an infant receiving the sacrament of Baptism. The message, “Life: Our Sign of Hope,” reflects the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope. Through the gift of our Baptism, Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be a member of his body thereby, demonstrating the invaluable dignity of the human person. This mystery invites us to be witnesses to the hope of the resurrection by promoting and defending the precious gift of life.
Reflection
“Life: Our Sign of Hope”
This short reflection unpacks this Jubilee year’s focus on hope within the context of respect for human life, highlighting our Holy Father’s call to be signs of hope to all facing trials and difficulties.
The reflection can be used as the basis for a homily or talk, shared in parish bulletins, printed in your diocesan paper, and included in newsletters. It could also be used as the basis for small group discussions at parish pro-life meetings, in a high school religion class, or simply among friends. Consider sharing the webpage version on social media.
Graphics
Images are provided in a variety of formats and dimensions and can be downloaded directly for use on parish/diocesan websites and in bulletins and newsletters. (Guidelines)
Homily Connections
Homily connections are provided for the lectionary readings on Respect Life Sunday (October 5) to help homilists to weave the Gospel of Life into their message in a compelling way.
Word of Life
Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes that includes special features, intercessions for life, bulletin quotes, bulletin art, and more. The October edition features resources for Respect Life Month.
Resources from the Maryland Catholic Conference
The MCC offers resources for fighting against physician-assisted suicide, including a parish toolkit, announcements for bulletins and Flocknote, and graphics for social media.
Resources from Catholic Mobilizing Network
The annual Respect Life Month Toolkit from CMN includes easy-to-use resources designed to assist Catholics as they work toward a culture of life and an end to capital punishment. Divided into sections for education, advocacy, and prayer, the toolkit features helpful resources that can be used in Catholic parishes, dioceses, schools, or at home.
Contact The Office of Life Issues or more information.