Day four: 9 Days for Life Mass

The Diocese of Corpus Christi also will be celebrating daily Mass in union with the 9 Days for Life Novena. You are invited to attend daily Mass to pray for the protection of human life on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 a.m.. at Corpus Christi Cathedral. The Mass will be livestreamed and available to view on www.facebook.com/DioceseOfCorpusChristi.

Additionally, Bishops across the country will be leading live-streamed holy hours for their respective diocese throughout the night of Jan. 28 until the morning of Jan. 29 in conjunction with the 9 Days for Life Novena. Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody will lead the Holy Hour for the Diocese of Corpus Christi on Friday, Jan. 29 from 6 -7 a.m. at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. People are invited to attend this Holy Hour as well, and it will be televised on EWTN at 6 a.m. Central Time.

Day Four: Sunday, Jan. 24

Intercession: May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.

Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection: Fatherhood has its origins in God, who chose to reveal Himself to us as Our Father, sending his only Son for the sake of our salvation. Fathers therefore have a special role “in revealing and in reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God” (Familiaris consortio 25). Fathers are called to exhibit “generous responsibility for the life conceived under the heart of the mother” (FC 25). They are uniquely entrusted with the protection and defense of both mother and child and, in this way, in safeguarding the sanctity of human life.

As evidenced in our world today, the role of the father “is of unique and irreplaceable importance” (FC 25). Often women choose abortion because they do not have the support of the child’s father, or—even worse—the father of the child pressures her to make the decision to abort. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge with compassion that men can also be overwhelmed by an unexpected pregnancy and that society increasingly tells them that they should have no say in their children’s lives. In the face of these false messages, we pray that expectant fathers will find courage in the example of Saint Joseph—who embraced the role of father amid difficult circumstances—and offer loving, life-affirming support to the mothers of their children. 

Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)

• Give up sleeping on your pillow—or even your bed—tonight. Offer this small sacrifice for the intention that expectant fathers will courageously answer their call to support both mother and child.
• Pray a decade of the Rosary for all expectant fathers, that through her intercession, Our Lady may inspire in them the virtues of Saint Joseph: usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary. 
• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further: Research continues to show that one of the top reasons a woman chooses abortion is due to a lack of financial resources. Read Poverty and Abortion: A Vicious Cycle, which explores the connections between abortion and poverty, and how the absence of fathers contributes to this ongoing cycle ( respectlife.org/poverty-and-abortion).