Novena for Life: Day Six

God, + come to my assistance.
--Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
--As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

GOSPEL
John 6:41-51
Jesus said to the crowds, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

SILENT PRAYER

REFLECTION
Sometimes bread looks like it's living, but it's really not. The yeast which causes a loaf to rise gives it all the appearance of life. But life is a gift only from God. Only God can cause the life to stir deep within a mother's womb. And only God can give us the bread which is eternal life, his flesh for the life of the world.

LITANY
On doctors of life and of truth,
--Lord, have mercy.
On residents who love the little child,
--Lord, have mercy.
On doctors who gaze on life's mysteries,
--Lord, have mercy.
On physicians who see into the womb,
--Lord, have mercy.
On surgeons who heal the unborn child,
--Lord, have mercy.
On all who defend the child in the womb,
--Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER
God our loving Father,
grant wisdom to those who govern us,
compassion and courage
to those who work to defend human life,
and safety and care to every human being.
For you alone who formed us in our mother's wombs,
and who call us home to heaven,
are God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street NE, Washington DC 20017-1194
Phone 202.541.3070
Copyright 2001 by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
.